'Leaving Reds was a struggle'

FORMER Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson admits he was so hurt by his Anfield exit that he couldn't bear to watch his former club on TV.

- By JOHN CROSS ECHO Reporter

In an eyeopening account of the pain he felt leaving the club after 12 years, the Premier League and Champions League winner likens his Merseyside exit to a particularly painful break up, admits he has struggled to get over it and that it has been one of the most difficult periods of his career.

Henderson, now 35, caused shockwaves two years ago when he left the club to move to Saudi Arabia, joining Pro League club Al-Ettifaq.

Accused of chasing mega money, Henderson lasted just six months in Saudi before joining Dutch giants Ajax.

He lasted 18 months in Amsterdam before returning to the Premier League this summer, joining Brentford.

But Henderson admits the scars of his Anfield exit are still not fully healed, and the pain continues. Henderson said: “It was a really tough period when | left Liverpool, | was there for a long period of time, 12 years.