Jordan Henderson has unveiled 'dark moment' under Brendan Rodgers when the former Liverpool manager wanted to swap him for Clint Dempsey
About a decade ago Liverpool’s Premier League and Champions League-winning captain Jordan Henderson joined Anfield from Sunderland.
The England midfielder was not so highly rated at Anfield years before Jurgen Klopp's takeover as Liverpool manager.
He then found himself being offered as a makeweight by Brendan Rodgers in a deal to land Fulham midfielder Clint Dempsey in 2012.
But the midfielder now turned skipper and a club hero at Merseyside insisted not to leave Anfield.
Henderson admits he was in "a very dark place" when the club tried to sell him to Fulham 2012.
"That was a difficult moment I remember very clearly," Henderson said to the Guardian .
"We were preparing for a [ Europa League qualifying] game against Hearts at Anfield. We met as normal in the hotel and I got a knock on my door saying the manager wanted to speak to us.
"To be fair to Brendan Rodgers, it was really just a conversation. It was an opportunity I didn't want and I didn’t like. I still felt I had an awful lot to give, but I was in a very dark place at that time."
On life at Anfield after Jurgen Klopp's arrival, Henderson added: "When the manager first came, it was difficult for me because I was injured.
"I kept getting niggles so it took a while to get the real me and my rhythm back.
"And then I began to play in a deeper role and that is thanks to Jurgen, because I don’t think many people would have seen how I could do that role. There were times when I wasn’t performing well. Then you would question if I was good enough.
"But I had confidence in the manager and kept working and I matured. I’m really grateful for having that opportunity because my all-round game has improved defensively and offensively.
"When we signed Fabinho, a natural defensive midfield player, I felt that was a good thing for me because I could play a little higher up. So when I had the conversation with the manager he was very open. But I don’t think he was going to play us there straight away.
"Not long afterwards I was on the bench at that
Southampton game before I came on as an attacker and managed to score. I’ve matured even more since then.
"At the end of last year, I played more as a No.8, but with certain injuries I’ve had this season I’ve played a little deeper again. I feel I can contribute to both positions."