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Liverpool exit 'felt like break up' admits England star
Suraj Radia
- Updated: 8 Oct 2025 12:41 BST
- 4 min read
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Jordan Henderson has opened up on his move from Liverpool to Saudi Arabia in 2023 and revealed the situation ‘felt like a break up’ after 12 years at Anfield.
Henderson was recruited by his former teammate Steven Gerrard, who was then in charge of Saudi Pro League side Al-Ettifaq, to leave Liverpool for the riches of the gulf nation in a surprise transfer.
Current ETV
Jordan Henderson
DM, M (C)
Brentford
Jordan Henderson
DM, M (C)
Brentford
ETV Range
€1.7M - €2.6M
The move proved to be a disaster for Henderson, with the 35-year-old tearing up his contract and returning to Europe just six months later, and the midfielder admitting he ‘struggled’ after making the decision to end his Liverpool career.
“It felt like a break up,” Henderson said. “It was just difficult. I think if you asked a lot of players when they leave a club, not just Liverpool, you have been at for so long and have that attachment to, whether you retire or move on, I think for a period of time it’s really difficult.
“That was hard but within time things change, you move on, but I would say that was probably the most difficult time. 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 learn a lot about yourself and it makes you stronger, makes you think differently. If you use it in the right way, it can help you and that’s all I’ve ever tried to do.”
Henderson admits he may have made ‘different decision’ over Saudi transfer
Henderson’s move to Saudi Arabia generated significant controversy due to his previous support for the LGBTQ community and he found himself widely criticised for the transfer.
The former Sunderland star left for Ajax in January 2024 but his time outside of England saw him dropped by then-England boss Gareth Southgate and eventually miss out on the Euros that year, although Henderson does not believe his move to Saudi Arabia played a role in that.
"I don’t think it was the reason why I missed the Euros," Henderson said. “When I was in Saudi I think I was in every camp prior to the Euros. [But] in hindsight, maybe I would have made different decisions.
“But at the time that is how I felt and the decision I made was for many different reasons and only I know the reasons. In the end, I tried to do the right thing.”
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