TOM COLLOMOSSE: Henderson would have been a frontrunner for Klopp’s children

Jordan Henderson has spent this week attempting to plot the downfall of 1 Premier League membership when he ought to actually be attempting to win the factor with one other.

The former England captain is making an attempt to propel Ajax, certainly one of Europe’s giants, in the direction of their eleventh continental title. Meanwhile Liverpool, the membership he left in an ill-advised swap to the Saudi Pro League, are chasing 4 trophies this season. They tackle Aston Villa for a spot within the quarter-finals of the Europa Conference League, with the primary leg in Holland on Thursday.

Publicly, Henderson would probably make all the proper noises about his profession selections since final summer season. Yet privately, he wouldn’t be human if he didn’t have even a tinge of remorse when he seems at how Liverpool’s spectacular season is unfolding.

When Henderson left Anfield to transfer to Al-Ettifaq final summer season, it was not solely due to the £700,000 weekly wage on supply. The 33-year-old didn’t consider he would function commonly in Jurgen Klopp’s reconfigured midfield this time period and didn’t wish to end his time on Merseyside as an also-ran.

Yet Liverpool have suffered so many harm issues this season that Henderson would absolutely have performed his half. Think of the latest run of matches, when Klopp has used plenty of academy merchandise due to the absence of a number of first-teamers.

Jordan Henderson is making ready to face previous Premier League rivals Aston Villa along with his Ajax facet

The former Liverpool captain booked a transfer to the Dutch membership after an ill-fated transfer to Saudi Pro League facet Al-Ettifaq

Henderson might really feel a tinge of remorse after having opted to forge a brand new path away from Anfield on the finish of final season

What higher participant than Henderson, such a pure chief, to information the kids by way of these video games? And after Liverpool overcame Chelsea within the Carabao Cup Final in February, he would now have one other medal so as to add to his assortment.

By leaving Al-Ettifaq solely six months and 17 video games after becoming a member of, Henderson admitted he had made an enormous error. Not even such fabulous wages may compensate for the lack of top-level soccer in Europe and Henderson took his first route out, cancelling his contract to signal a two-and-a-half-year take care of Ajax. The prospect of lacking out on a spot in Gareth Southgate’s England squad for this summer season’s European Championship was additionally distinguished in his pondering.

‘I’ve got full respect for the league and Al-Ettifaq the club and the people over there,’ stated Henderson in January. ‘They really made me feel welcome. Unfortunately sometimes these things in life just don’t work out, in football and life in general.

‘I’m in contact with Gareth regularly, as I have been for many years. That hasn’t changed. He is like that with all the players.

‘You know how close he is to the lads. I’ve always got the Euros and England in mind. It is a big thing playing for my country. That has been always been the case wherever I’ve played.

Henderson claimed the Carabao Cup at Wembley as the skipper just over two seasons ago 

Jurgen Klopp’s youth-infused side won their first silverware of the season last month

‘Ultimately I’ve got to be doing my job on the pitch for Ajax and then hopefully I’ll be called up for England.’

Henderson has not discovered life simple within the Eredivisie, whilst Ajax enhance on their dreadful begin to the marketing campaign. They meet Villa fifth within the desk however their 2-0 win over Utrecht on March 3 was Henderson’s first win in 5 appearances for the membership.

Henderson is a great man and can perceive his function at Ajax. He was intelligent sufficient to not request his most well-liked No14 shirt when becoming a member of as that was the one worn by Johan Cruyff. As Ajax information one more promising technology in the direction of profitable careers within the sport, Henderson ought to be a super instance for them.

Rather than fulfilling this function for Jorrel Hato, Devyne Rensch and Kenneth Taylor, nonetheless, Henderson might be doing the identical for Conor Bradley, Bobby Clark and Jayden Danns. And nonetheless he may inform the story in Amsterdam with a microphone in entrance of him, Henderson will certainly have moments the place he wonders what might need been.