Liverpool have let some talented players go in recent times, such is the fierce competition for places at Anfield.
Luis Diaz is impressing at Bayern Munich after his £65.5m exit from Liverpool back in July, scoring four goals in five appearances so far.
Even Anderson Arroyo has sealed a record move to Rubin Kazan – a player Liverpool released in 2024.
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Now, Jordan Henderson has been praised by Dutch pundit Johan Derksen – who is shocked to see the former Liverpool captain thriving at Brentford after a tough spell at Ajax.
Jordan Henderson still catching the eye at the age of 35
The England international is now 35 years of age and endured a tough spell at Ajax, even asking to terminate his contract a year early back in June.
When Ajax accepted that request, Henderson – who West Ham looked at – joined Brentford on a free transfer, where his performances have stunned Derksen.
Speaking after Brentford drew 2-2 against Chelsea, the 76-year-old was quoted by Voetbal Primeur as saying: “I was watching Match of the Day yesterday and I saw that idiot from Ajax playing for Brentford. He suddenly made decisive passes over sixty yards. He played incredibly well. That’s truly incomprehensible.”
It is a bit harsh of Derksen to call Henderson an “idiot” after he even managed to earn the captaincy in his 18 months at Ajax, and it is also testament to his professionalism that he has made such a seamless return to the Premier League.
The Sunderland academy graduate notched a superb assist for Kevin Schade to open the scoring against Chelsea, and has helped Brentford to four points from four games so far this season – a decent return for a side many tipped to go down after losing Thomas Frank, Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa.
Liverpool oversaw excellent business when it comes to Jordan Henderson
Liverpool signed Henderson from Sunderland back in June 2011 in a £20m deal when he was just 20 years of age.
492 appearances later and with almost every trophy you can win at club level under his belt, Liverpool then sold the midfielder to Al-Ettifaq in July 2023 for a sum of £12m.
It means the overall deal cost Liverpool just £8m – excluding wages – which is peanuts for an inspirational figure who captained the Reds during a genuine golden era under Jurgen Klopp.