Jordan Henderson has confessed that departing Liverpool was so agonising that it was like breaking up from a romantic partner. The midfielder has also disclosed he was so wounded by the entire ordeal that he couldn’t bring himself to watch Liverpool’s matches following his Anfield exit in the summer of 2023. England star Henderson, 35, sent seismic waves through football when he departed Liverpool two years ago to join Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Ettifaq.
However, within half a year, Henderson abandoned Saudi Arabia for Ajax and has now returned to English football with Brentford, though he remains scarred by his Liverpool departure The former captain savoured an extraordinary 12-year stint at Anfield where he secured the Premier League title and won a Champions League, finding the separation the most challenging period of his career.
Henderson revealed: “It was a really tough period when I left Liverpool, I was there for a long period of time, 12 years.
“Leaving Liverpool itself was huge and really difficult and at any point it was going to be hard because it had been my life for so long and then it is just gone like that… so I have struggled for a period after that.
“No, I couldn’t watch a lot of games, I certainly couldn’t watch Liverpool. I didn’t watch a lot of Premier League stuff then… probably picked the right place for that, I was half way around the world!
“Yeah, it was tough but when you leave Liverpool because I was there for so long because I had such an attachment and I dedicated a large part of my life there, when I left I found it really difficult and I suppose whatever I did or wherever I went..
“I don’t know what it felt like, it felt like a break-up, it was just difficult and I think if you asked a lot of players when they left a club, not just Liverpool but when you have been at a club for so long and you have that attachment to them whether you retire or move on.
“I think for a period of time that was hard but within time things change, you move on but I would say that was probably the most difficult time.”
Henderson has earned 85 caps and confessed that losing his England spot – missing out on the Euro 2024 squad – left him fearing the worst until Thomas Tuchel recalled him. Yet England runs through his veins like blood.
His passion for representing his country burns fiercely and clearly influenced his decision to return to the Premier League with Brentford.
Henderson is experiencing a renaissance with some impressive displays, though he acknowledged that doubters and critics provide the motivation that drives him forward.
“I think I’ve used it as fuel throughout my career, really,” said Henderson. “Everyone’s different and everyone likes to approach things differently.
“For me, I suppose it’s part and parcel of who I am. I’ve always had to prove something, somewhere. I don’t think that will ever change sometimes.”
Henderson has admitted that he’s learned to ignore criticism, allowing him to concentrate on his game. He stated: “When you are younger it can be tough, it is a lot easier now. And I suppose it is not bad to come through stuff like that in the end when you could come out the other side and look back.
“Of course there will be tough moments, and I am not going to lie, over the past couple of years, I have had some tough moments.
“But when you come out the other side, you look back, you think you learn a lot about yourself and it makes you stronger, makes you think differently and if you use it in the right way, it can help you and that is all I have ever tried to do.
“Of course I am not perfect and I have made mistakes in the past, throughout my career, but all I have ever tried to do is the right thing and help as many people around me as I can and try to use the negative stuff to be a better player and help my team.
“That’s what I’ve done wherever I have been, trying to help the team as much as possible and use all the negativity as fuel and use it to make us better.
“Looking back, that is something I have always probably needed. I just feel that I have had that and have had to learn to use it as a tool in the right way and hopefully I have been because I am still here and speaking to you now which can’t be a bad thing.”