🔗 Share this article

England player Jordan Henderson admits he has encountered "tough moments" after leaving Liverpool for Saudi Arabia and admits he could "have made different decisions".

The 35-year-old faced criticism for departing Liverpool in 2023 to sign with Al-Ettifaq in a nation where LGBTQ+ relationships are against the law.

Henderson had been known as a high-profile advocate of LGBTQ+ rights and apologized for upsetting or upsetting members in the community when he departed from Saudi Arabia to move to Ajax six months later.

England Career and Reflections

Henderson was omitted from Gareth Southgate's Euro 2024 squad but is back to the Premier League with Brentford and the national team under Thomas Tuchel.

"I don't think it was the cause why I was excluded from the Euros," Henderson remarked. "While I was in Saudi I think I was in every camp prior to the Euros."

"Timing-wise, with the situation in looking back, yes - perhaps I would have taken different decisions."

"However at the period that's how I felt and the decision I made was for many different reasons and solely I know those reasons."

Personal Struggles

"I am not going to lie, over the past couple of years I have had various tough moments. It was similar to a parting when I left Liverpool."

"Certainly I'm not perfect and I've made mistakes in the past. Certainly I will have throughout my career."

"But all I've ever sought to do is the proper thing."

England Career

Henderson has won 85 caps since making his England debut against France in 2010.

He is in Tuchel's squad to compete against Wales and Latvia this week and thinks he still has plenty to provide on the pitch.

"The crucial people are the coach, the technical staff and the players and what they believe," said Henderson.

"Ask them what they believe, if I am a supporter when I am here. I doubt one of the top managers in Europe would be selecting me just to do that."