Jurgen Klopp reveals that Jordan Henderson pushed for Liverpool exit

Jurgen Klopp has revealed that Liverpool were eager to keep former captain Jordan Henderson at the club this summer, but the player was set on a move to Saudi Pro League side Al-Ettifaq.

Henderson was one of the first names on the team sheet for much of Klopp’s time at the club, lifting the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League as Liverpool captain. However when the 33-year-old received a mammoth offer from Al-Ettifaq he asked Klopp to let him leave Anfield.

Speaking at a press conference during the club’s tour of Singapore, Klopp told reporters that it was Henderson who pushed for the move.

“If he wants to leave, there’s no reason why we should throw any rocks or stones in the way,” Klopp said.

“Hendo knew exactly the situation - that we wanted to keep him. It was full of respect and full of everything you need in a situation like that.”

“He’s not here anymore. He will miss us, we will miss him. But we have to go on and we will - that’s clear. That’s pretty much everything.”

Liverpool press on with midfield rebuild

Liverpool were always planning to undergo an extensive midfield rebuild this summer, but the loss of their captain really signifies a changing of the guard in Klopp’s squad. Henderson follows midfielders James Milner, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain through the Anfield exit.

With Fabinho also expected to complete a move to Al Ittihad in the coming days, Liverpool will have to bring in at least one more midfielder to replace the departing players. Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister have already joined Liverpool this summer, at a combined cost of nearly £100 million.

Liverpool are thought to be closing in on a deal to sign Southampton’s Romeo Lavia, but have had a bid worth around £40 million rejected by the recently-relegated side.

Klopp said: “It’s definitely important to strengthen in midfield. We have to do something, that is clear. We are working on solutions.”