Jurgen Klopp claims Liverpool had ‘no chance’ of stopping Fabinho and Jordan Henderson from leaving the club for Saudi Arabia after hearing of their proposed deals

Jurgen Klopp has claimed that personal interviews with both Jordan Henderson and Fabinho have revealed that Liverpool had ‘no chance’ of keeping them out of Saudi Arabia.

Klopp’s Reds team has been hit by two major departures, with their captain Henderson joining Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard at Al-Ettifaq, and Fabinho joining reigning Saudi Pro League champions Al-Ittihad.

While Liverpool wanted to keep both players who had been crucial to Anfield’s success in recent years, they felt it was an uphill battle compared to what the Saudis offered on the table.

In an interview with German outlet Sport1, Klopp said: “It was a special situation for us. Bobby’s (Firmino) contract has expired. Of course he can go and do whatever he wants. He just made his choice and that’s fine.

“When Hendo and Fabinho sat in my office and talked to me about it, I knew when I heard more about the conditions that we have practically no chance to act against it.”

Jordan Henderson is reportedly the highest paid English footballer ever at Al-Ettifaq

Fabinho joined reigning Saudi Pro League champions Al-Ittihad at the end of his Liverpool contract

Henderson is reportedly the highest-paid English footballer ever, earning £700,000 a week at Al-Ettifaq, and it’s no surprise that Klopp is dismayed by these figures.

The German gaffer said: “The financial conditions in this league are absolutely exceptional.

“I would say there are almost no boundaries. Anyone who can sign Cristiano Ronaldo and pay him for it has absolutely no boundaries anymore.”

When asked to comment on the topic of human rights in Saudi Arabia, Klopp said: “It’s super hard to comment without burning your mouth no matter what direction.

“Basically, I think with all the different perceptions we have, we certainly don’t understand the culture in all its details.

Klopp says players like Henderson moving there will improve understanding of Saudi Arabia

Liverpool recouped nearly £52 million for the services of Fabinho and Henderson but have to rebuild

‘As long as we only look at it from the outside, nothing will happen. If there is one positive aspect to the whole story, it is that Saudi Arabia is becoming much more in the public eye.’

He said he is confident that moving more players to Saudi Arabia will increase understanding of the country and could start to change things for the better.

While Liverpool recouped nearly £52 million for the services of Fabinho and Henderson, the Reds are now scrambling to find a defensive midfielder, missing out on Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia to Chelsea.

Klopp’s Liverpool will host Bournemouth on Saturday afternoon, after kicking off their Premier League campaign with a 1-1 draw at Chelsea.