England midfielder Jordan Henderson says he has had “tough moments” since leaving Liverpool for Saudi Arabia and could “have made different decisions”.<\/b><\/p>\n
The 35-year-old was roundly criticised<\/a> for leaving Liverpool in 2023 to play for Al-Ettifaq in a country where same sex-relationships are illegal.<\/p>\n Henderson had been a high-profile supporter of LGBTQ+ rights and apologised for letting down or hurting anyone in the community when he left Saudi Arabia to join Ajax six months later.<\/a><\/p>\n Henderson missed out on Gareth Southgate’s Euro 2024 squad but is back in the Premier League with Brentford and the England squad under Thomas Tuchel.<\/p>\n “I don’t think it was the reason why I missed the Euros,” Henderson said. “When I was in Saudi I think I was in every camp prior to the Euros.<\/p>\n “Timing, with everything in hindsight, yes – maybe I would have made different decisions.<\/p>\n “But at the time that’s how I felt and the decision I made was for many different reasons and only I know them reasons.<\/p>\n “I am not going to lie, over the past couple of years I have had some tough moments. It felt like a break-up when I left Liverpool.<\/p>\n “Of course I’m not perfect and I’ve made mistakes in the past. Of course I will have throughout my career.<\/p>\n “But all I’ve ever tried to do is the right thing.”<\/p>\n