Former Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson has reflected on his summer exit and concedes that Jurgen Klopp’s decision to freshen up his squad has been vindicated

Jordan Henderson has acknowledged that Jurgen Klopp was right to freshen things up at Liverpool in the summer, with the Reds currently challenging on all fronts.

Henderson, 33, was Liverpool’s captain but left the club in order to pursue a lucrative opportunity in Saudi Arabia with Al-Ettifaq.

The veteran has since claimed that one of the driving factors behind the move was the fact he would play substantially less had he remained at Anfield.

The England star, who joined Ajax in January after quitting the Saudi Pro League, admits he struggled to come to terms with the fact that he would no longer be first-choice at Liverpool. However, Klopp’s new-look team have gone from strength to strength this season and are in contention to win both the Premier League and the FA Cup having already won the Carabao Cup last month.

And Henderson recognises that his former manager has been vindicated in his decision to make big changes to his squad. He told reporters ahead of Ajax’s Europa Conference League Round of 16 tie against Aston Villa: “It was the right time for me as a player but also for them as a team and for them as a club, as much as that hurt at the time. I was very emotional.

“Looking back in that period of time, looking back now, it is easy to see that it was the right decision made by the manager and the club. It was the best decision to freshen things up. If you look at Virgil van Dijk becoming captain, Trent Alexander-Arnold becoming vice-captain, and how they’ve stepped up again this season, I think it has given them another lift.

“They have been two huge players for the team this season. I think it was the best thing for the club and the team and you can see that in the performances and how they’ve done, as much as that hurts me.

“It’s football and you move on. I’m so happy it’s worked out for them so far and I’ve just got my fingers crossed it can be a fairytale end for Jurgen because he deserves it.”

Henderson has stayed in touch with Klopp since leaving England and, like others, was initially taken aback when the German announced he would be standing down from his role at Liverpool in the summer.

He added: “I have spoken to him a little bit. When I found out, it was quite shocking news for everyone. But at the same time, I probably wasn’t as surprised as everyone else was because he has been there a long time and the passion and emotion that he gives teams and the club, to do that for a long time must wear you out.

“It will give him an extra energy boost until the end of the season, we have seen that already and from the players as well. Hopefully that will get them over the line on a few trophies over the next few months.”