Henderson says leaving Liverpool felt like a breakup, Brentford return

Jordan Henderson said leaving Liverpool in 2023 felt like a breakup and left him unable to watch his former club as he struggled to adjust after 12 years at Anfield. The 35-year-old midfielder recounted the emotional toll of the move this week as he continues his return to English football with Brentford and seeks to secure a place in England's squad for next year's World Cup.

Henderson left Liverpool in 2023 for Saudi Pro League side Al Ettifaq on a deal reported to be worth about £350,000 a week, a transfer that prompted intense criticism and debate over his motives. He lasted six months in Saudi Arabia before moving to Ajax and then returning to the Premier League with Brentford this summer. Reflecting on that period, he said, "It felt like a breakup. I couldn't watch Liverpool." He added that the departure was "a really tough period" because Liverpool had been his life for so long.

The former Liverpool captain spent 12 years on Merseyside, making nearly 500 appearances and helping the club win the Premier League, the Champions League, the FA Cup and the Club World Cup. His sudden move to Saudi Arabia and the short duration of his spell there prompted questions about whether...