'I don’t know how we dare' - Jurgen Klopp speaks out on Jordan Henderson criticism after Saudi Arabia exit

Jurgen Klopp speaks at a Liverpool pre-match press conference

Jurgen Klopp has defended Jordan Henderson after he called time on his controversial stint in Saudi Arabia after just six months.

The former Liverpool captain faced widespread criticism and scrutiny when he left the Reds to join Al-Ettifaq in a lucrative £12m transfer last summer. However, his big-money contract with the Middle Eastern club was terminated earlier this week in order for the midfielder to return to Europe and sign for Ajax.

Speaking ahead of the Reds’ trip to AFC Bournemouth, Klopp revealed he hadn’t yet spoken to Henderson following his move to the Netherlands. However, the German hit out at his former captain’s critics.

“No, I didn’t speak to him after that (his transfer to Ajax),” he told reporters. “But I’m happy for him, because it looks like he’s happy and that’s the most important thing to me.

“From time to time I forget that I actually don’t read these kind of stories, but when it’s not about us directly, I read a little bit. People are really critical with Hendo about the move, first there and then now coming back.

“I don’t know how we dare, always judging these kind of things, all of us. We have one life and we have to make decisions. And sometimes our decisions are perfect in the first place, and sometimes that feels different after you’ve made them.

“He was there and it was an 100% interesting experience. I spoke to him and 99% of what happened there football-wise was absolutely fine. It’s the start of something and it’s not like it is here.

“Imagine it would be immediately like that. Many things to develop in the future but (he was) never really critical or saying ‘It’s not possible that that’s not there’.

“But then he thought it is better for him and the family to come back to Europe and now he is at Ajax Amsterdam, a sensational club in a difficult moment. Ajax always played the best football when combined the real talent what is always there with some experience and that is obviously now the role for Hendo.

“He is part of that experienced group and from fifth place in Holland you can make steps and it’s all positive. It’s an experience.”

He continued: “Only in England do people think ‘Why do they go abroad?’ All other countries want to come England and is beautiful this country is they want to make international experiences and for me it is the same.

“He is going to Holland where he can enjoy his football definitely again. The family will feel wonderful because the city is absolutely outstanding.

“I am very happy for him and will definitely talk to him in these few days but he has a few things to do which are more important.”