It’s been two years since Jordan Henderson bid farewell to Anfield, and the former Liverpool captain has now reflected on just how emotional and difficult that moment was for him.
Henderson compares leaving Liverpool to a painful breakup
Speaking to reporters via the Liverpool Echo, the 35-year-old admitted that departing after 12 years at the club was one of the toughest experiences of his career.
“Leaving Liverpool was massive and incredibly hard… it honestly felt like a breakup,” he confessed.
During his time with the Reds, Henderson lifted the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, and League Cup — making him one of the club’s most successful captains. Yet, even those triumphs couldn’t ease the heartbreak of walking away from Anfield.
He revealed that after leaving, he found it too painful to watch Liverpool play, especially while adapting to life in Saudi Arabia and later at Ajax, before making his Premier League return with Brentford this summer.
“I couldn’t watch many games — definitely not Liverpool. I was halfway across the world!” he said.
Henderson described the period after his exit as “really tough,” underlining just how strong his bond with the club was.
Turning criticism into motivation
The former skipper also spoke about how he’s learned to use adversity to his advantage.
“I’ve always had to prove myself somewhere… it makes you stronger, changes your perspective, and if you channel it properly, it can push you forward,” he explained.
Henderson’s words reveal the deeply personal side of leaving a club as iconic as Liverpool — and the emotional toll that comes with it.
Much of the pain surrounding his exit stemmed from his decision to join the Saudi Pro League, a move that drew criticism from fans and even boos from England supporters.
Despite that backlash, Henderson has continued to perform at a high level and remains in contention for England’s World Cup squad next year.
For Liverpool fans, his reflections are a reminder of the lasting emotional ties players forge at Anfield — and the heavy cost of saying goodbye. Even now, with pundits suggesting Liverpool still feel his absence, his legacy at the club continues to resonate.
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