Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has said that the Reds will miss one of their legends who departed the club side for Saudi Arabia on Wednesday.

England midfielder Jordan Henderson confirmed the news of a move to Saudi Arabia this week after weeks of negotiations for salaries up to £700,000 a week. 

The midfielder, 33, was offered a three-year contract till 2026 as Jordan Henderson will be linking up with former Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard who he played with from 2011 when he the Anfield club in 2015 when Gerrard exited. The midfielder is the current manager of Al Ettifaq.

Henderson joined Liverpool from Sunderland in a deal of about £20m in June 2011, playing 492 times for the Reds, scoring 33 goals and registering 57 assists, and winning seven major trophies with the club.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said it was sad and strange to lose a legend of the club.

“You are a legend; I know people say recently we use that word slightly too often. I can tell you that it’s not in your case. I know it was a really, really tough decision for Hendo, and I was around or with him all the way. It’s sad, absolutely strange because he is the only captain I had here at Liverpool, but I think it is exciting for him as well. We will miss him, without a shadow of a doubt, that’s clear – as a man and as a player. But, as I said, that’s football.” Klopp said.

Henderson was made Liverpool captain in 2015, leading the club side to a Champions League win in 2019, the Uefa Super Cup, and Fifa Club World Cup later that year. He also was the skipper as Liverpool ended their 30-year wait for the Premier League title.

The midfielder also won the League Cup twice and one FA Cup at Liverpool.

Daniel Ademiju Idowu