Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp ‘surprised’ by Jordan Henderson request and Virgil van Dijk issues rallying cry
Jurgen Klopp has revealed he was left taken aback when Jordan Henderson requested to leave Liverpool.
The 33-year-old was reunited with ex-Reds teammate Steven Gerrard earlier in the week after linking up with Saudi Pro League side Al Ettifaq.
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It is believed that the 77-cap England international will pocket £700,000-a-week in the Middle East to make him one of the top earners in world football - and the highest paid English footballer in history.
His decision to depart Anfield after 12 years has led to some fans and pundits to accuse him of hypocrisy in moving to a country where homosexuality is illegal - despite him being a firm ally of the LGBTQ+ community.
And now Klopp has stated he wasn't expecting the Three Lions international to leave, as he confirmed the club were keen to keep hold of the midfielder.
In his first interview with the media following Henderson's exit, Klopp was asked about the move in his pre-match press conference ahead of Sunday's friendly against Leicester.
To which he said: "Was I surprised when Henderson said he wanted to move on? Of course.
"We had a relationship for eight years. He knew the situation that we wanted to keep him.
"But if he wanted to leave we weren't going to throw rocks and stones in the way. It was about reacting to it."
He added: "Jordan will miss us and we will miss him. We have to go on and we will. That is clear."
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Meanwhile Virgil van Dijk, who is in line to replace Henderson as the club's captain, has stated his teammates will have to step up in the player's absence.
Hailing the former Sunderland man, the Dutch defender: "He's obviously going to be a big miss for us as a player.
"But definitely as a leader and a captain. [He's been] so important for us during our success over [the] last few years.
"We are going to miss him a lot. Others have to step up now, that's the reality."
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