Jordan Henderson could be out of luck if it is a return to the Premier League he is aiming for – less than six months after leaving Liverpool for Saudi Arabia.
The decorated midfielder opted to end his lengthy Anfield stay in search of a new challenge, joining Steven Gerrard’s Al-Ettifaq back in July. Henderson’s signature cost the club £12million, but the England ace has struggled to hit the ground running and it is believed the Saudi Pro League outfit are willing to listen to offers for him.
Gerrard’s side are without a win since October and Henderson could be even more tempted to leave if his former Liverpool teammate is sacked from his post as manager. With just 19 appearances under his belt, the 33-year-old hasn’t done much in the Middle East to catch the eye of other clubs.
Comments from his old Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp made when Henderson left Merseyside in the summer have resurfaced and quashed any speculation linking the midfielder with a shock return to the Reds. Klopp specifically cited the lack of game time on offer at Anfield as the former captain’s main issue.
Speaking back in September of last year after Henderson claimed his departure was party inspired by wanting to feel “valued”, Klopp replied: “Hendo said the truth. That’s how it was. We had talks, I told him I wanted him to stay but we talked about maybe not playing regularly.
“I cannot tell a player they can have 50 games because I don’t know that. In our relationship, I thought it was important we speak about ‘what happens if’. Hendo, I love him but he was not great when they didn’t play, [James] Milner and Lucas [Leiva] were the same. So we talk about that now.”
Klopp went on to explain how Henderson struggled to come to terms with the fact that he would not be an ever-present in the starting line-up anymore. This is something that is unlikely to change were he to return to the Reds or a fair few other Premier League outfits.
“So, in Hendo’s ears and mind, he thought I didn’t want him there. If I said Hendo would be the main man for me he would stay but I couldn’t. That’s why it’s better he moved on. Not a bit of bad blood. Captain of the best Liverpool team in the Premier League era.”
Several different factors are believed to have played into Henderson’s doubts over his Saudi switch. Adjusting to lifestyle, the climate and poor attendances have all played on the mind of the midfielder according to MailSport.
There is growing belief that Henderson would be more than willing to take a major pay cut and write off millions in tax if it meant he could return to the Premier League. However, there is hardly an overwhelming amount of suitors for the ageing ex-Sunderland man.
