- Jordan Henderson won seven major trophies during his 12-year Anfield career
- The 34-year-old left the club for Saudi Pro League team Al-Ettifaq in 2023
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Former Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson made a surprise appearance at the Reds’ AXA Training Center on Friday.
The 34-year-old left Merseyside under a cloud in 2023 when he decided to join Saudi Pro League team Al-Ettifaq, managed by Reds legend Steven Gerrard.
But Henderson’s adventure in the Middle East only lasted a matter of months before he completed a move to Eredivisie giants Ajax in January this year.
The England international was given a hero’s welcome by Liverpool players on Friday in Kirby, where he spent 12 seasons and won seven trophies.
Henderson was seen in a warm embrace with several players left over from his time at the club, including current skipper Virgil van Dijk and vice-captain Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Jordan Henderson received a hero’s welcome during his visit to the AXA Training Center on Friday
The 34-year-old, who left Anfield in 2023, caught up with a number of his former teammates
Most of the Reds’ current players played alongside the former captain, including Trent Alexander-Arnold (right)
Henderson became the first Liverpool skipper to lift the English top-flight trophy in 2019
The veteran also saved some time for the likes of Cody Gakpo, Diogo Jota and Curtis Jones on the Reds’ training ground.
Henderson has largely done well since his move to the Netherlands, quickly becoming a leader in a young dressing room.
He has worn the captain’s armband several times for the four-time European Cup winners, but has been in and out of the starting XI at the start of this season.
His tumultuous months at the end of last year and the beginning of this appear to have ended his Three Lions career.
The last of his 86 caps came in November 2023 under former boss Gareth Southgate.
Henderson was subsequently left out of the England squad for the European Championship and has not been included in any of the squads chosen by interim boss Lee Carsley.
The experienced midfielder now plays for Dutch giants Ajax, after a short spell in Saudi Arabia
Henderson played alongside Diogo Jota (right) at Anfield for three seasons before abruptly leaving
The Englishman also met the current assistant coach of the Reds, Sipke Hulshoff
Liverpool, meanwhile, are preparing for a trip to London to play Crystal Palace on Saturday afternoon. The Reds have made an excellent start under Arne Slot, winning eight of their first nine games under the Dutchman.
A win at Selhurst Park would ensure they stay at the top of the Premier League for at least another weekend.