Henderson suggests Reds treatment prompted Saudi switch

Jordan Henderson claims he would have stayed at Liverpool this summer if the club had made a stronger effort to retain his services.

The former Reds captain, 33, ended a 12-year stay on Merseyside back in July by penning a three-year deal with Saudi Pro League side Al-Ettifaq, managed by old team-mate Steven Gerrard.

Now, speaking about the move for the first time, Henderson told The Athletic that his departure was prompted by a frank conversation with Jurgen Klopp about future prospects.

The England midfielder explained: "There were a few things that sent alarm bells ringing. I've got a very good relationship with Jurgen. 

"He was very honest with me. I won't go into detail about the conversation because it's private but it put me in a position where I knew that I wasn't going to be playing as much. 

"And then there was an approach from Al-Ettifaq to the club to see if it would be possible for me to go there. The reaction from the club again wasn't to say no. 

"At that moment, I felt as though my value or the want for me to stay, with the manager and within the club, maybe it had shifted."

Controversial switch

Henderson faced criticism for his move to Saudi Arabia — particularly from LGBTQ+ groups he had previously campaigned for.

However, the 77-cap international stressed that his values on such issues have not changed and his move was also not money-orientated.

He added: "It was a difficult time. Don't get me wrong, I don't want people to feel sorry for me. It was just difficult to make that decision. 

"There can be a lot of criticism, a lot of negativity around me as a person. And that was difficult to take. 

"I do care about different causes that I've been involved in and different communities. So for people to criticise and say that I'd turned my back on them really, really hurt me.

"People can believe me or not but in my life and my career, money has never been a motivation."