”We wanted to keep him’ – Liverpool boss Klopp makes ‘rocks and stones’ claim over Henderson transfer

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp admits he “wanted to keep” Jordan Henderson at the club this summer but his captain had other ideas.

The 33-year-old brought to an end a 12-year stay at Anfield in which he won every major trophy by finalising a three-year deal with reported wages of up to £700,000 a week.

Henderson, who posted a farewell message to Reds fans on Wednesday, took to Instagram again after his signing was confirmed.

Liverpool are due to receive an initial £12million for the England international, who will be reunited with his former team-mate Steven Gerrard who is manager at the Saudi Pro League club.

And Klopp has been answering more questions on Henderson’s Anfield departure while on Liverpool’s pre-season tour of Singapore.

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

READ MORE: Jordan Henderson transfer is ‘a big ‘f**k you to all the LGBTQ kids’

“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.”

The England midfielder was viewed as a huge ally to the LGBTQ+ community during his time as Liverpool captain so his switch to Al-Ettifaq in a country where homosexuality is illegal and punishable by death has understandably attracted widespread criticism.

“It was not about me convincing him, it was about me reacting to what was happening. That’s how I understood the role in that moment,” Klopp added.

“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.”

Klopp now has the job of picking a new captain following Henderson’s exit and the Liverpool boss has now made his mind up.

The German continued: “I know already my decision but I have to tell it first to the players before I speak in public about it.

“I didn’t expect to have that situation a few weeks ago that I have to think about it.”

Al-Ettifaq vice-president Professor Hatem Al-Mishal was happy to seal the deal for Henderson earlier this week and called Henderson a “distinguished addition”.

“There is no doubt that Henderson is a distinguished addition,” said Al-Mishal.

“We completed the deal after the recommendation of sports director Elko Chatori and the technical staff led by English coach Steven Gerrard, who accompanied him as a player and knows his capabilities.”