Liverpool v Chelsea - Carabao Cup Fourth Round
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
Jordan Henderson received a belated ovation from Liverpool supporters when he returned to Anfield for the first time as a visiting player during the Reds’ final match of last season against Brentford.
The former captain then surprised just about everybody during the subsequent off-season, joining Xabi Alonso’s Chelsea on a free transfer.
Henderson has since forced his way into the Blues’ starting line-up, and continued his recent run in Alonso’s team with another start at Anfield in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday. But while May brought applause and recognition, Henderson was predictably met with a different reception while wearing Chelsea blue.
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Florian Wirtz of Liverpool celebrates their goal to make it 1-0 during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Liverpool FC and Brighton & Hove Albion at Anfield on October 25, 2026 in Liverpool, England.
Hopefully some Barcola and Ngumoha ball
I think so… although no Pedro or Palmer, huge for us
Going to be goals in this one eh
Henderson greeted by Anfield whistles
While some Liverpool fans will not begrudge Henderson the chance to play for another of the country’s best teams late in his career, others have been less impressed by his summer choices.
It was fascinating to see the reaction of the Anfield crowd when faced with the 36-year-old for the first time since his move, and as journalist Beth Lindop noted on X during early into the game, there were some who made their disappointment clear whenever he got on the ball.
A few halfhearted boos and whistles for Jordan Henderson.
— Beth Lindop (@beth_lindop) October 28, 2026
Though the early noises may have been ‘halfhearted,’ the Anfield crowd found their voice after seeing Henderson remonstrating with the referee later in the first-half.
The boos had suddenly become louder, and though they were not exactly to the level Trent Alexander-Arnold felt when coming back with Real Madrid in 2025, it was a clear message to Henderson that while he is still loved on Merseyside, his decision to join one of Liverpool’s biggest domestic rivals has damaged his standing in the eyes of his former supporters.