Jurgen Klopp has confirmed that Jordan Henderson left Liverpool to join Al-Ettifaq because he was not needed at the Premier League club.
Henderson said this month that he accepted a lucrative offer from Saudi Arabia because he wanted to feel “wanted” and “appreciated” rather than simply following the money.
When asked about the midfielder’s comments, Klopp confirmed on Friday that Henderson’s fear of not being guaranteed a starting place was one of the main reasons for his departure.
Hendo told the truth. So it was. “We had conversations, I told him I wanted him to stay, but we talked about him maybe not playing regularly,” Klopp said in a press conference.
“I can’t tell a player that he can play 50 games because I don’t know. In our relationship I thought it was important to talk about ‘what if’.
” Hendo, I like him but he wasn’t great when they weren’t playing, [James] Milner and Lucas [Leiva] were the same. So let’s talk about it now.
“So in Hendo’s ears and mind, he thought I didn’t want him there. If I said Hendo would be my captain, he would stay, but I couldn’t.
That’s why it’s better for him to move on. Not a bit of bad blood. Captained the best Liverpool team of the Premier League era.
Henderson was widely criticized for joining Al-Ettifaq, especially after advocating for LGBTQ+ rights.
Although the midfielder admitted money was a factor in his decision, he insists his move to Saudi Arabia could have a positive impact.
“I think people knew my opinions and my values before I left and still do today.
And I think having someone with those views and those values in Saudi Arabia is just a positive thing,” he said.
“Not once did they say, ‘You can do it, you can’t do it. » And I think it can only be positive to try to open up, like in Qatar.
Ultimately, in Qatar, the fact that there was a World Cup shed light on some issues that I think I might ultimately be wrong about, but they changed some rules and regulations in order to be able to host the World Cup and I think that’s positive.”
Klopp’s team will face Wolves in the Premier League on Saturday, while Henderson and Al-Ettifaq will face Abha in the Saudi Pro League.
