Klopp confirms Henderson decision as Liverpool captain to leave training camp
Jurgen Klopp says he dropped Jordan Henderson from the Liverpool squad as the Reds captain closes in on one of the most remarkable transfer exits in the club's history.
Henderson, 33, was left out of the squad that took on German second tier side Karlsruher on Wednesday night, with the Reds agreeing a deal of £12m plus add-ons for the sale of their captain of the last eight years.
The England international will join former Reds skipper Steven Gerrard's Al-Ettifaq if he agrees to personal terms, with the offer of a three-year contract worth around £700,000 a week on the table.
Henderson hasn't yet made up his mind on the move, and is now preparing to leave Liverpool's German training camp in order to return home to his family and decide if he wants to make such a huge life change.
Klopp, who retains a strong bond with Henderson and is known to have held discussions with him over the amount of playing time he can expect to get this season, or the lack of it, took the decision omit him from Wednesday's game shortly before news broke that Liverpool found Al-Ettifaq's offer acceptable.
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Henderson's fellow midfielder Fabinho didn't make the trip to Germany and is closing in on a £40m switch to Saudi side Al-Ittihad, one of the four Public Investment Fund-owned clubs in the Saudi Pro League, of which Al-Ettifaq are not one.
Henderson and Klopp have held discussions over playing time (AP)Reds icon Gerrard has been desperate to add Henderson's experience to his side as he embarks on a new chapter of his managerial career, and he is now closing in on what would be the highest profile Premier League exit to Saudi Arabia.
Saudi side Al-Hilal are also eyeing a £50m move for Liverpool forward Luis Diaz, but the Reds have no intention of selling the Colombian.
Klopp was playing his cards close to his chest following the Karlsruher game, which Liverpool won 4-2, but admitted that he had decided to omit Fabinho from the trip and Henderson from the match due to uncertainty over their futures.
Reds icon Steven Gerrard wants Jordan Henderson for his new side (Al Ettifaq Football Club/AFP via)"As long as things are not really finally decided, we don’t have to talk about it. There will be a moment where we probably have to talk about it, but it’s not now," he said.
"I don’t know that anything is decided, which means nothing to say in the moment.
"In the end, all of these decisions [over players] are made by me.
"And because I respect the players a lot, it’s usually with consent. It was in this case, and it is all fine.”
In Henderson and Fabinho's absence Trent Alexander-Arnold started the match in the deepest lying midfield position, with Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister each playing a half in a more advanced midfield role.
Darwin Nunez and Cody Gakpo struck for the Reds, with a late brace from Diogo Jota, the second from a Mac Allister assist, confirming victory.
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"The work out was good. It was intense for the boys," said Klopp.
"In the first half, I liked the start, but we became stiff and didn't play as good as we could. It's early days.
"First half, the kids and Dom (Szoboszlai) were the best in pressing."
Klopp saw his Reds side beat Karlsruher 4-2 in Germany (Philipp von Ditfurth/picture-alliance/dpa/AP Images)
Cody Gakpo (left) was among the goals (AFP via Getty Images)The Hungarian enjoyed the experience of his first Reds appearance and says he can't wait to play at Anfield for his new side.
"A very proud moment for me and my family as well. Really looking forward to playing many, many more games," he said.
"A dream is going to come true to play there (at Anfield) for Liverpool, not against them. I cannot wait."
Liverpool are now set to turn their attention to central midfield replacements, with Crystal Palace's Cheikh Doucoure a new name added to the list of possibilities, although the south Londoners are set to demand a huge fee for the 23-year-old.
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