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Jordan Henderson has revealed that he feels he missed out on a proper Liverpool exit when he departed the club in July 2023.
The 35-year-old left somewhat under a cloud, given his controversial decision to sign for Saudi Arabian club Al-Ettifaq and unwillingness to play a squad role under Jurgen Klopp.
He ultimately missed the German coach's final campaign as Liverpool boss and the incredible start to Arne Slot’s tenure. Despite joining Brentford this summer, Henderson has yet to play against his former club since leaving two years ago, and he admitted that his quick exit meant he was unable to real goodbye to the team he captained to Premier League and European glory.
“Yeah, I probably missed it,” he said in an interview with Sky. “I missed it because of the timing that I left.
“But I was so lucky and grateful for the time that I did have there. I had a long time, 12 years, I think it was. I loved every second of it. I had some amazing relationships, which I still have now there.
“Now I feel as though in time it's moved on; a new manager, new team, new players, so I'm still a little bit of a fan wanting to do well.
“I still know a few of the lads,” he added. “It's nice to see how good they're doing and how strong they look, and the team's amazing, so many good players, world-class players now, so I can look from afar now and be a bit more of a fan.”
Henderson has retained close ties with Liverpool and will face some of his former teammates for the first time when the Reds travel to Brentford next month.
He was in attendance for the final match of last season when Liverpool lifted the league title in front of fans for the first time in 35 years - an experience Henderson was sadly robbed of due to Covid.
Asked what it was like to be back at Anfield for that momentous day, the midfielder replied: "Very nice, actually. It was the first time I'd been back since I left, so I went to watch the game against [Crystal] Palace, and I wasn't sure how I would feel.
"I was a bit nervous, I was like, ‘Am I going to be emotional?’
"Just because I've never been back, and it was such a big part of my life, but when I went back, I really enjoyed it.
"Jurgen was there, and then some of the lads as well.
"I really enjoyed going back, and it was so nice to see them and be there for them to lift it in front of the fans. I think they deserved that as well."
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