Jordan Henderson has been unfairly criticized for his move to Saudi Arabia and subsequent decision to join Ajax five months later, according to Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp. The German manager says his former captain has the right to make his own decisions.
The England midfielder, 33, was criticized by the public – and not just football fans – for turning his back on the LGBTQ+ community, of which he was an ally, by campaigning for equality, by leaving Liverpool because of Saudi wealth Arabia, a repressive state. where being gay is a crime.
And this week, Henderson, who led Liverpool to a first-ever Premier League title and a sixth European Cup, joined Ajax after terminating his contract at Steven Gerrard’s Al-Ettifaq. But Klopp admits he is happy for Henderson.
“I haven’t spoken to him yet, but I’m happy for him because it seems like he’s happy and that’s the most important thing for me,” Klopp said. ‘People are very critical of Hendo and the move, first there and now back. I don’t know how we always dare to judge these things.
‘We have one life and we have to make decisions. Sometimes our decisions are perfect in the first place and sometimes it feels different after you make them. spoke to him and 99 percent of what happened football-wise was absolutely fine.
Jordan Henderson completed a move to Dutch club Ajax on Thursday after ending his time at Al-Ettifaq in Saudi Arabia
Henderson’s former manager Jurgen Klopp claimed the midfielder was unfairly criticised
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‘It was the start of something in which there is still much to develop in the future. He was never critical. But then he thought it was 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.’
Meanwhile, Egypt and Liverpool hope star player Mohamed Salah has escaped serious injury after the forward limped and looked distressed during a 2-2 draw against Ghana at the Africa Cup of Nations on Thursday evening.
Reds boss Jurgen Klopp has since spoken to Salah after the 31-year-old went down with the back of his left leg in the first half of the match and was substituted. The Egyptian captain underwent further tests last night to understand the extent of the injury.
“We know nothing,” Klopp said yesterday. ‘I spoke to him last night. They are doing further evaluations. At the time it was a shock. He felt it and we know how rarely Mo leaves, so there was something.”
Based on the outcome of an MRI scan and ultrasound, Liverpool could decide to send a club medical staff member to Ivory Coast, where the tournament is being played, to help with the recovery of their talisman. Egypt’s next match is on Monday, a must-win match against Cape Verde.
Liverpool will also be without Dominik Szoboszlai and Trent Alexander-Arnold for their trip to Bournemouth on Sunday, although the pair, along with long-term absentee Andy Robertson, are making good progress. Hungarian captain Szoboszlai could be fit for the visit to Fulham on Wednesday.
The leaders expect a tough clash with Andoni Iraola’s men, who have won seven and drawn one of their last ten league games – the losses coming at Manchester City and Tottenham.
“I really have time to admire what he (Iraola) is doing there,” Klopp added. ‘Difficult start. They turned it around… wow. That’s real coaching. They have a very good mix: they play football, they use Dominic Solanke in a sensational way, the way they defend. That’s right.
Henderson also defended his move to Al-Ettifaq despite only being at the club for six months
‘I’m so happy for Dom. He has so much potential. But when he came here, we also had other attackers. At the time he wasn’t the most clinical, but the talent was clear. He made the right decision to go to Bournemouth. Now he’s one of the best.’
Klopp also said former England boss Sven Goran Eriksson is always welcome at Anfield, after the terminally ill Swede said his biggest regret in football is never managing his boyhood club Liverpool. Eriksson is also expected to be invited to coach Liverpool in a charity match against Ajax in March if he is good enough.
“Absolutely, he’s very welcome to come here and he can sit in my chair in my office and do my job for a day if he wants.” said Klopp.
“To have him here and show him everything, how this wonderful club has developed over the years, that is certainly something we will tell him. I’m sure he can come over and spend a few wonderful hours here.’