Jordan Henderson just finalized his transfer to Al Ettifaq, and Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has acknowledged the departure of the player.
With a three-year contract for allegedly £700,000 per week, Henderson terminated his 12-year Anfield career to reunite with fellow former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard at Saudi Pro League team Al Ettifaq.
The club captain’s departure was addressed by Liverpool manager Klopp in an interview posted on the club’s official website, and he acknowledged that the Reds would miss him going into the 2023–24 season.
“Monday when we arrived back in Liverpool, Hendo was waiting for us to say goodbye properly to the team and to the coaching staff as well, so that was a really nice gesture – a really nice thing to do,” Klopp revealed.
“I know it was a really, really tough decision for Hendo and I was around or with him all the way. It’s sad, absolutely strange, because he is the only captain I had here at Liverpool, but I think it is exciting for him as well.
“We will miss him, without a shadow of a doubt, that’s clear – as a man and as a player. But, as I said, that’s football.”
Klopp also talked about the legacy Henderson will leave at Liverpool after leading the team to victories in the UEFA Champions League and the Premier League.
“In the future when people are looking back then they will realise Jordan Henderson was the skipper of [our] most successful squad until then – I hope we can create another one – and the skipper of the first Premier League title winners and all these kind of things,” Klopp explained.
“That’s a special career. He should be and will be in the future proud of it.”
“You are a legend. I know people say recently we use that word slightly too often, I can tell you, that it’s not in your case.“
The boss says goodbye to the skipper @JHenderson ❤️ pic.twitter.com/0QgjshRYTn
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) July 27, 2023
According to our information, Liverpool is presently looking for a replacement for Henderson and is planning a second offer for Romeo Lavia after having their first offer turned down by the midfielder’s current club Southampton.