1 week ago
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Jordan Henderson's name is etched in Liverpool folklore.
After leading the Reds to every major domestic, European, and global title during his 12-year tenure at Anfield, he's earned legendary status. However, the shock transfer to Al-Ettifaq in the summer of 2023 meant that the midfielder never really had a proper farewell with the fans.
Henderson's stint in Saudi Arabia was brief, lasting less than half a season before he made a return to European soccer with Ajax, where he played from January 2024 until this summer. After an early termination of his contract with the Dutch club, the England international penned a two-year deal with Brentford, despite considerable interest from other Premier League and European clubs.
Henderson has been in stellar form for the Bees, and this Saturday, he'll face his former team for the first time since leaving Liverpool. The 35-year-old is expected to receive a warm welcome from the travelling Reds supporters at the Gtech Community Stadium.
However, during his illustrious Liverpool career, Henderson wasn't always a favourite with referees. One notable official, Dr. Felix Brych, even humorously dubbed him a "troublemaker."
The German referee, who hung up his whistle at the end of last season, reminisced about some of his encounters with Henderson and his then deputy James Milner.
"I got along with all the players very well, but in every game there was always my troublemaker," Brych told talkSPORT. "Looking back on many games at Anfield with Liverpool, when I saw Jordan Henderson, I knew I had to keep an eye on him.
"(Henderson would say), 'Come on, it's not a foul, you can do it in Germany, but in England we want to let the game flow.' It was always this kind of trash talk, but I liked it, and I got used to it. It was fun and games. He was talking all throughout the game.
"Also, James Milner. Sometimes he was quiet, sometimes he was talking a lot, and like you do, you talk in a different way. In Germany, talking is much more aggressive. In England, you talk in a different way, I knew that before the game."
Brych also acknowledged his rapport with Jurgen Klopp shifted after the former Liverpool boss departed the Bundesliga.
"I met Jurgen Klopp in Germany 20 years ago, but in England it was a different relationship with him," he admitted. "If you know someone better than the others, they think you might favor them. I cannot give any kind of bonus to anybody."
Henderson's role as Reds skipper involved communicating with match officials. While he isn't Brentford's captain, anticipate him engaging with the referees come Saturday.
Nathan Collins, who received the Bees' captaincy in August, recently commented on his highly experienced colleague: "It's great to have him. "It takes a bit of pressure off me because he's such a big personality, and everyone knows him from before.
"He talks to the referee so I can concentrate on my game a bit more. He brings a level of standard on the pitch, which is a necessity for us. He's helped me a lot."
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