"Jordan Henderson dismisses 'cheerleader' critique amid England's fresh start"

When discussing Jordan Henderson, there is often a focus on what came after his exit from Liverpool in the summer of 2023. His move to Al-Ettifaq in Saudi Arabia appeared ill-conceived, and the reality proved even more challenging.

Henderson faced backlash after he was accused of prioritizing financial interests over his previous support for LGBTQ+ rights. During an England match at Wembley, he was met with boos. Even after returning to Europe with Ajax in January 2024, the lingering consequences seemed to follow him. Now at Brentford, Henderson was left out of Gareth Southgate’s Euro 2024 squad despite having played a key role in qualification. It marked the start of a prolonged absence from international football.

“I won’t lie…the last few years have been difficult,” Henderson admits. Yet for him, the struggle was less about the challenges he faced and more about what he had left behind.

Describing the end of his 12-year spell at Liverpool—where he captained the club to major honors and became deeply rooted in its identity—he says, “It felt like a break-up.” The departure left him with an overwhelming sense of emptiness.

“I couldn’t bring myself to watch many Premier League games, especially not Liverpool. In a way, being on the other side of the world made that easier. But when you’ve been at a club for so long and formed such strong connections, leaving is incredibly tough.”

He adds, “Any player who’s spent years at a club—not just Liverpool—would tell you the same. With time, things shift. You adjust. But that period was definitely the hardest.”

Asked whether, in hindsight, he regrets the move to Saudi Arabia, Henderson gives a detailed response, clarifying that it wasn’t the reason he missed the Euros (though he doesn’t mention the injury he suffered with Ajax in early 2024, which sidelined him for nearly two months). Still, he doesn’t shy away from reflection.

“Looking back, maybe I’d have made different choices. It’s easy to think, ‘I could’ve done this or that differently.’ But I had my reasons, and I didn’t act impulsively. In the end, it’s made me stronger.”

What Henderson emphasizes is his ability to push forward, turning setbacks into motivation. This mindset has shaped his career and now fuels his unexpected resurgence with England under Thomas Tuchel—a development few predicted.

Henderson had been absent from the national team during last autumn’s camps under interim coach Lee Carsley, and even Tuchel, who took charge in January, initially hadn’t considered him. That changed when the manager began hearing constant praise from players and staff about Henderson’s impact, both on and off the pitch.