Jordan Henderson did not let sentiment get in the way on Saturday evening as he helped Brentford defeat Liverpool.
The Reds have now lost four Premier League games on the bounce, with this 3-2 defeat to Brentford leaving fans questioning their manager even more.
Performances have just not been good enough, hence why this game was so important after coming off the back of a win midweek, but they could not build upon that and lost yet again.
As well as this, this match had heightened importance due to it being a bit of a reunion for some former Liverpool players, with Caoimhin Kelleher, Sepp van den Berg and Jordan Henderson all lining up for the Bees.
This is the first time the latter, and the former Reds captain of course, has played against his former side, with Henderson sending a message to Liverpool fans after the full-time whistle.
Jordan Henderson opened up about facing his former club
Captain. Leader. Legend. Those are the three words that sum up Henderson during his time at Anfield, with many wondering why he was allowed to leave back in 2023.
Since then, he has played for Al-Ettifaq, Ajax and now Brentford, with the Englishman looking as classy as ever at the age of 35.
He had another good game in the middle of the park for the West London club despite having to deal with facing his former club for the first time, something he admitted afterwards felt a little strange.
“I had been at Liverpool for so long,” Henderson told TNT Sports after Brentford’s 3-2 win.
“It’s always deep inside me forever now as it was my life for 12 years. It was a little bit strange but as soon as the whistle went, it was business as usual and I was ready to go and I’d be in the right frame of mind, which I was.
“I was fully in and felt as good as I ever have. I was there 12 years, dedicated a lot of my life to it. My kids were born there. It holds a special place in my heart.
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“I still want Liverpool to do well – of course not when we’re playing them – but overall. That will never change. The fans have always been amazing. It was nice to see a few of them, I know a few of them left a bit early because of the result. But it was nice to see them again.”
Liverpool miss Jordan Henderson in the middle of the park
Henderson was often praised for his leadership qualities but criticised for his footballing ability, although he is proving to have both during his time with Brentford.
At Liverpool, his role was perhaps underrated too, with his engine and passing range something that is missing from the midfield now.
He also knew when to cover if the full-backs went forward, also something they now lack and are far too open in transitions.
Whether letting Henderson go was the correct decision or not is very much up for debate, but there is no doubt that a presence like his is something the Reds could really do with right now.
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