Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has issued a heartfelt farewell message to departed club captain Jordan Henderson following the England international’s transfer to Al-Ettifaq.
Hailing Henderson a ‘legend’ in a video posted to the Reds’ social media channels, Klopp wished the midfielder all the best for the future as he reminisced on his time spent with the 33-year-old at the club.
The boss further extended his gratitude in a sit-down interview with LFCTV.
“In the moment, it is absolutely fine but it was already ongoing for a while now, so we had time to adapt to it and get used to it,” said Klopp on preparing to say goodbye to his captain.
“It is football, it is life, it is normal, these kind of things happen.
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“Monday when we arrived back in Liverpool, Hendo was waiting for us to say goodbye properly to the team and to the coaching staff as well, so that was a really nice gesture – a really nice thing to do.
“I know it was a really, really tough decision for Hendo and I was around or with him all the way.
“It is sad, absolutely strange, because he is the only captain I had here at Liverpool, but I think it is exciting for him as well.
“We will miss him, without a shadow of a doubt, that’s clear – as a man and as a player. But, as I said, that’s football.”
Henderson made 492 appearances in the famous red of Liverpool during his 12-year stay at Anfield, registering 94 goal contributions as he lifted everything there was to win.
Klopp went on to speak of his memories of the former skipper.
“Hendo was injured when I arrived here,” the German said.
“Seven-and-a-half years later, knowing him that well, it must have been for him an absolute nightmare because obviously [he was] still new-ish in the role of a captain and then Hendo’s desire to prove himself constantly, on and off the pitch, then a new manager is coming in and he could do neither nor.
“It was tough for him, but from that moment on I would say, besides a few injuries, it was a pure success story since then. I know, and it is always like this in life, people will only appreciate him properly after he has left.
“In the future when people are looking back then they will realise Jordan Henderson was the skipper of [our] most successful squad, until then I hope we can create another one, and the skipper of the first Premier League title winners and all these kind of things.
“That’s a special career. He should be and will be in the future proud of it.”
Henderson the hero
Some strong words from the Liverpool boss, but no amount of praise will truly describe the impact that Henderson at the club since his arrival all those years ago.
His name will forever be etched in the history books at Anfield.