Jurgen Klopp admits Jordan Henderson told ‘the truth’ about Liverpool exit and says he couldn’t guarantee captain regular football
Jordan Henderson opted to leave Liverpool this summer, according to Jurgen Klopp, because he couldn’t promise the captain regular game time.
After 12 years at Anfield, the England midfielder completed a £12 million move to Al Ettifaq in Saudi Arabia this summer.
Following his move, Henderson told The Athletic he didn’t feel wanted at Liverpool ahead of the new season and that played a role in his move to the Middle East.
Klopp has now responded to his former skipper’s claims and confirmed Henderson told ‘the truth’.
And although the German said it was not his intention to leave him feeling unwanted after their difficult conversation in pre-season, the coach admitted there was always going to be a ‘problem’ if Henderson was not playing regularly.
“Hendo said the truth, that’s how it was,” Klopp said in his press conference ahead of Saturday’s Premier League clash with Wolves – LIVE and EXCLUSIVE on talkSPORT.
“We had our talks. I told Hendo I wanted him to stay, but we had to talk about the possibility of him not playing regularly. I cannot tell a player he will play 50 games, I don’t know that, it all depends on performance.
“But with the relationship we had I thought it was important we spoke about everything, including ‘what happens if’.
“He’s a fantastic player, a fantastic guy, I will love him forever, but he was not great when he wasn’t playing. Milly [James Milner] was like that, Lucas Leiva was like that too. It was like Jekyll and Hyde. That was Hendo’s problem.
“He was my captain for nearly eight years but I needed to speak with him about that because I didn’t want to lock horns with him [during the season]
“Obviously, that meant I didn’t want him here in Hendo’s ear.” If I had told Hendo, ‘You’re going to be the main man, I want you to stay,’ he would have stayed.
“But I couldn’t say that, no matter how badly I wanted him to stay.” That’s why he should have moved on.
“There isn’t a trace of bad blood. He is rightfully the captain of the most successful Liverpool side in Premier League history.
“He is a fantastic player, and I wish him the best.” When he comes here, he is greeted with a rousing farewell.
“So there is no misunderstanding.”
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