Jordan Henderson Reflects on His Move from Liverpool to Saudi Arabia
By ESPN News Services
October 7, 2025, 06:29 PM ET
Jordan Henderson has likened his departure from Liverpool to experiencing a breakup, expressing that he has faced significant challenges since his controversial transfer to Al Ettifaq in Saudi Arabia. The 35-year-old former Liverpool captain faced backlash in 2023 after opting for a lucrative deal in a nation where same-sex relationships are prohibited.
Once an outspoken advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, Henderson recently apologized for any hurt he may have caused to individuals within the community when he moved on to Ajax just six months into his three-year contract in Saudi Arabia.
The midfielder has since rejoined the Premier League with Brentford and admitted that adjusting after leaving Liverpool, where he spent 12 years, was quite difficult. “It felt like a breakup,” he remarked, emphasizing the emotional toll such a transition can take on any player who leaves a club they are deeply attached to.
Henderson noted that during his early days away, he avoided watching a lot of English football and purposely skipped Liverpool matches, humorously suggesting he picked the right place to relocate to “nearly halfway around the world.” However, he could not escape the criticism for his move to Saudi Arabia, which included being booed by England fans during two matches at Wembley in October 2023.
This controversial choice may have impacted his standing, possibly contributing to his omission from Gareth Southgate’s Euro 2024 squad. Despite this, Henderson stated, “I don’t think it was the reason why I missed the Euros. I was present in all the camps leading up to it.” He reflected on the decisions he made and acknowledged that hindsight might suggest different choices could have been preferable. “I made decisions for various reasons that only I understand, but I always tried to do what I believed was right,” he added.
Over the past couple of years, Henderson experienced challenging moments that ultimately led to personal growth. “I believe these experiences make you stronger and help you think differently,” he said, highlighting that he has always sought to improve and support those around him, despite acknowledging his imperfections and past mistakes.
Henderson also uses skepticism from others as motivation, particularly as he works under manager Thomas Tuchel, who has faced scrutiny for selecting him. “What matters most is the perspective of the manager, coaching staff, and players,” he asserted, defending his presence on the team ahead of a friendly against Wales.
He expressed confidence in Jude Bellingham, who is expected to rebound from recent setbacks and become an even more significant asset for the team. Bellingham recently recovered from shoulder surgery and was anticipated to be included in the squad, but Tuchel opted for players who had performed well in previous games, raising questions about the relationship between the young star and the coach.
Henderson dismissed any negative perceptions of Bellingham, praising the 22-year-old as both an exceptional player and an outstanding individual. “From the outside, it’s easy to misinterpret things, but players know the true character of Jude,” he said, emphasizing that Bellingham’s presence enhances the team. “He truly is a world-class talent and contributes positively to the England team,” he concluded.
Information from PA was included in this report.
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