Jurgen Klopp reacts to Jordan Henderson’s ‘return’ to Liverpool

Jurgen Klopp swiftly addressed rumors surrounding Jordan Henderson’s potential return to Liverpool after the midfielder’s move to Al Ettifaq in the Saudi Pro League.

Jordan Henderson, a long-standing captain at Liverpool, departed the club in the summer, joining Steven Gerrard’s Al Ettifaq side in a high-profile transfer.

Recent reports have surfaced, indicating Henderson’s purported desire to leave Saudi Arabia and return to the Premier League, citing difficulties adapting to life there.

Following Liverpool’s 2-0 FA Cup third-round victory against Arsenal, Klopp was questioned about the possibility of Henderson rejoining the club. Dismissing the speculations, Klopp remarked,

“Did Hendo have a press conference and say that? Ahh, it’s just written! That means for me it’s not existing. He didn’t call me! We spoke actually, but not about that. So really nothing to say about that.”

Since his move, Henderson has made 19 appearances for Al Ettifaq, where he reunited with former teammate Georginio Wijnaldum.

However, the team’s recent performance has been lackluster, enduring an eight-game winless streak since October.

Adding to the uncertainty, Gerrard’s assistant Ian Foster departed Al Ettifaq to assume the manager’s role at Plymouth Argyle in the Championship.

Reports suggest that Foster played a significant role in persuading Henderson to join Al Ettifaq, yet Henderson allegedly deliberated his options ahead of a recent winter break.

Liverpool holds a sell-on clause in Henderson’s contract, but any potential move would necessitate an exceptional offer, as indicated by Al Ettifaq.

Although Henderson is reportedly willing to take a substantial pay cut, a departure would entail a substantial tax bill. His current tax-free wages are contingent on remaining in Saudi Arabia for at least two years.