Jordan Henderson admits he is 'hurt' by Liverpool's progress without him - but accepts it was the right decision to let him leave for Al-Ettifaq before Ajax switch

After 12 years with Liverpool, Henderson bid farewell to the club in the summer transfer window to move to the Middle East. However, his days in Saudi Arabia were numbered as he eventually headed back to Europe to join Ajax in January.

Despite leaving Anfield, Henderson has been closely monitoring Liverpool's progress this season, as they vie for a quadruple. Reflecting on his departure, Henderson acknowledges the emotional difficulty of leaving a club he cherished but believes it was the right decision for both parties and wished Jurgen Klopp all the luck in his farewell season.

“It was the best thing for the club and the team, and you can see that in the performances and how they’ve done, as much as that hurts me," he told The Times.

“It’s football and you move on. I’m so happy it’s worked out for them so far and I’ve just got my fingers crossed it can be a fairytale end for Jürgen because he deserves it."

However, Henderson insisted that he has no regrets and added: "Looking back, I think it was the right time for me as a player [to leave] but also for them as a team and for them as a club, as much as that hurt at the time.

"I was very emotional. Looking back in that period of time, looking back now, it is easy to see that it was the right decision made by the manager and the club. It was the best decision to freshen things up. If you look at Virgil [van Dijk] becoming captain, Trent [Alexander-Arnold] becoming vice-captain, and how they’ve stepped up again this season, I think it has given them another lift."

Despite his departure from elite level of football, Henderson remains focused on his international career with England. With Gareth Southgate travelling to watch his debut in the Netherlands, Henderson remains assured that the manager is keeping an eye on his performances. And boosted Southgate's gesture, the midfielder backs him to secure a spot in the squad for the upcoming European Championship.

“It was good for him to come and watch, to see that he’s keeping an eye on me,” Henderson said. “It is always a privilege to play for my country and I want to do that for as long as possible, but ultimately I’ve got to focus on my job here. If I’m doing that well and performing well, then that gives me the best possible opportunity to get in the England squad.

“I definitely feel I can offer something to the national team, but I have got to be playing and doing my job here. That is my main focus. But of course, I feel I can help the squad and the team going forward in the next camp and hopefully in the summer.”

Looking ahead, Henderson is gearing up to face familiar opponents as Ajax takes on Aston Villa in the Europa Conference League round-of-16 tie on Thursday.