Jordan Henderson has revealed that a conversation about his future game time at Liverpool with Jurgen Klopp led to his decision to leave the club.
The England international surprisingly left Liverpool during the summer transfer window, ending his 12-year association with the club by joining Saudi Pro League outfit Al Ettifaq and linking up with his ex-teammate and new manager Steven Gerrard in the middle east.
Speaking to The Athletic about leaving Liverpool, Henderson discussed his relationship with Klopp and how a conversation with the Reds manager led to his departure.
“There were a few things that sent alarm bells ringing,” the 33-year-old said. “I’ve got a very good relationship with Jurgen. He was very honest with me. I won’t go into detail about the conversation because it’s private, but it put me in a position where I knew that I wasn’t going to be playing as much. I knew there were going to be new players coming in my position.
“And if I’m not playing, as anybody will know, especially the manager, that can be quite difficult for me and especially when I’ve been at a club for so long, I’ve captained the team for so long. Especially when England is a big thing for me. You’ve got the Euros coming up.”
The midfielder also hinted at that he did not feel that Klopp wanted him to stay at the club once an offer was tabled by Al Ettifaq.
“Then there was an approach from Al Ettifaq to the club to see if it would be possible for me to go there. The reaction from the club again wasn’t to say no,” Henderson explained.
“At that moment, I felt as though my value or the want for me to stay, with the manager and within the club, maybe it had shifted. I knew that time would come at some point. I didn’t think it would be now. And I had to accept that.
“I’ve got very good relationships with Jurgen, with the owners of the club. That’ll be forever. What we’ve achieved together in the past 12 years has been incredible. But at the same time, it was hard for me to take that.”
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