Jordan Henderson has been unfairly criticized for moving to Saudi Arabia and then joining Ajax just five months later, according to Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp. The German coach said Henderson has the right to make his own choices.
The 33-year-old England midfielder was condemned by the public, not just soccer fans, for turning his back on the LGBTQ+ community. Henderson had been an advocate for equality, but he left Liverpool for Saudi Arabia, where homosexuality is illegal.
This week, Henderson, who led Liverpool to their first Premier League title and sixth Champions League trophy, joined Ajax after terminating his contract with Al-Ettifaq. But Klopp says he is happy for Henderson and it seems Henderson is happy too, which is most important.
Klopp said he hasn’t spoken to Henderson yet but is pleased for him. Klopp said people are very critical of Henderson’s moves, first to Saudi Arabia and now back to Europe. But Klopp said we shouldn’t judge these decisions.
Klopp said he spoke to Henderson and almost everything about his time in Saudi Arabia was fine, football-wise. It was the start of something new with room for growth. Henderson was never critical. But then Henderson felt it was better for his family to return to Europe, so now he is at Ajax Amsterdam, a great club going through a tough period.
Meanwhile, Egypt and Liverpool hope star Mohamed Salah has avoided a serious injury. The forward limped off looking distressed during Egypt’s 2-2 draw with Ghana at the Africa Cup of Nations on Thursday.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has since spoken to Salah after the 31-year-old grasped his left leg and was substituted in the first half. Salah was having more tests to determine the extent of the injury.
Klopp said “We don’t know anything” about Salah’s injury. He rarely comes off, so it was worrying. Based on MRI and ultrasound results, Liverpool could send a medic to Ivory Coast, where the tournament is happening, to help Salah recover. Egypt’s next match is Monday against Cape Verde.
Liverpool will also be without Dominik Szoboszlai and Trent Alexander-Arnold for Sunday’s match against Bournemouth, though they are progressing well. Szoboszlai could return Wednesday against Fulham.
The league leaders expect a tough match against Bournemouth, who have won 7 and drawn 1 of their last 10 league games. Klopp praised Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola’s work turning around the club.
