Jordan Henderson: Jurgen Klopp defends ex-Liverpool captain amid criticism after stint in Saudi Arabia fails

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has defended former club captain Jordan Henderson after the player faced criticism for leaving the Saudi Pro League after just six months.

The midfielder ended his 12-year spell at Anfield last summer when he decided to join Al Ettifaq under Liverpool great Steven Gerrard.

It was a controversial move at the time and Henderson was heavily criticised as he had previously advocated for LGBTQ+ rights.

However, after making just 19 appearances, the England international returned to European football on Thursday to sign for Ajax on a permanent deal.

Speaking about the transfer in his press conference on Friday, Klopp explained how the player doesn't deserve to be judged on decisions regarding his career.

“I’m happy for him as it looks like he is happy and that is the most important thing to me," he said. "From time to time, I forget I actually don’t read these kind of stories but when it’s not about us I read a bit.

“People are really critical of Hendo about the move, first there and now coming back. I don’t know how we dare, always judging these kind of things. We have one life and we have to make decisions and sometimes our decisions are perfect in the first place and sometimes it is different after you made them.

“He was there and it was 100% an interesting experience. I spoke to him and 99% of football-wise there were absolutely fine. It is the start of something and it is not like it is here – imagine it would immediately be like that.

“Many things to develop in the future but [he was] never really critical or saying ‘It’s not possible that that’s not there’. But then he thought it is better for him and the family to come back to Europe and now he is at Ajax Amsterdam, a sensational club in a difficult moment.

"Ajax always played the best football when they have combined their real talent with some experience and that is obviously now the job for Hendo. He is part of that experienced group and from fifth place in Holland, you can make steps and it’s all positive. It’s an experience.

"It's an experience. In England only do people think 'why do they go abroad when all other countries want to come to England?'. As beautiful as this country is it's an international experience [to play in another country]. For me it was the same.

“He is going to Holland where he can enjoy his football definitely again. The family will feel wonderful because the city is absolutely outstanding and I am very happy for him and will definitely talk to him in these [next] few days but he has a few things to do which are more important.

Henderson - who could make his Ajax debut on Sunday, when they host RKC Waalwijk in the Eredivisie - apologised if he had caused hurt to the LGBTQ+ community when he moved to Saudi Arabia.

“If any people from that community feel let down or hurt I apologise,” said Henderson in his press conference.

"if anyone was offended or feel as though I upset them, that’s on me, that was my decision and I apologise for that. It was never my intention.

"I just want to look forward now and concentrate on being the best player I can for Ajax. My beliefs have never changed and never will. Again I can only apologise if people feel let down.”

Meanwhile, Klopp also added that it was a "shock" to see Mohamed Salah suffer a suspected hamstring injury in Egypt's 2-2 draw against Ghana on Thursday, but said he had no more information about how long he would be out of action.

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