Former Liverpool star Jordan Henderson previously admitted to getting emotional after learning about a transfer decision during his time at Anfield
Jordan Henderson with Liverpool teammates
Jordan Henderson recalled his emotional reaction to a Liverpool transfer decision
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Jordan Henderson's time at Liverpool almost ended before it had truly begun. The midfielder came close to leaving Anfield after his first season at the club.
The 35-year-old, who signed from Sunderland as a promising talent, eventually became the first Liverpool skipper to lift the Premier League trophy, ending the club's 30-year wait for league glory. He racked up 492 appearances for the Merseyside giants before his 2023 exit. However, his 12-year spell at Liverpool almost ended early when Brendan Rodgers replaced Kenny Dalglish as manager.
Upon being appointed in 2012, Rodgers brought Joe Allen to Liverpool from Swansea City. The Welshman's arrival, alongside Steven Gerrard and Lucas Leiva already in the squad, prompted Rodgers to tell Henderson he could seek opportunities elsewhere if he wished, with Fulham among the interested parties.
While Henderson valued his manager's honesty, he subsequently confessed that the conversation drove him to tears. However, Henderson chose to remain and compete for his place, ultimately being named Gerrard's replacement as Liverpool captain three years later.
"I can remember it like it was yesterday," Henderson told BT Sport in 2022. "It was just before we played Hearts at Anfield, and we had a game on the night. I had a conversation with Brendan at the hotel the day of the game – and to be fair to Brendan he sort of gave me the option. It was more the club that was willing to let me go.
"Brendan said, 'Listen, it's down to you, you're not going to be starting as much as what you'd have liked but I'll try to help you improve on what I need you to improve on. You're still young, and if you do that then maybe you get more game time as time goes on.'
"So basically I went back to my room, cried a little bit and was devastated really, but from that moment on I just tried to... It wasn't really an option for me to leave, because I hadn't been at the club very long, and I'd worked extremely hard to get there."
After choosing to stay at Anfield, Henderson threw himself into proving his worth to the manager. His determination to develop would see him become a key figure under Jurgen Klopp, helping Liverpool secure numerous major trophies.
Jordan Henderson and Brendan Rodgers
Henderson recalled what Brendan Rodgers told him about his Liverpool prospects in 2012
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"I said straight away, 'Listen, I ain't going anywhere, I'll do everything I can to get in your team and I'll prove people wrong,'" Henderson told BT Sport.
"From that moment, every day in the gym I'd give everything, every day on the training pitch I'd give everything. Just focus on myself, how I can improve, how I can be better. Brendan helped us a lot tactically [and] I really think back then I could improve a lot tactically - I was good at box-to-box, I was very physical and decent technically, but the tactical elements I wasn't really taught that much, especially of what Brendan wanted.
"He brought me into his office, sat me down, showed...where he wanted us with and without the ball. I felt that helped massively, helped me understand football even more, and from that moment on I just grew in confidence as time went on."
Jordan Henderson lifts the Premier League trophy
Henderson captained Liverpool to the Premier League title in 2020
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Henderson went on to become a Liverpool icon under Klopp's guidance, captaining the Reds to both Premier League and Champions League glory. Yet his move to Al-Ettifaq in 2023 sparked widespread criticism and he left the Saudi Arabian club after barely six months.
Following a brief stint at Ajax, Henderson has proved he still belongs at the top level since joining Brentford this summer. The 35-year-old midfielder has earned a place in Thomas Tuchel's current England squad and will be hoping for game time when the Three Lions face Albania in their World Cup qualifier on Sunday.
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