Jordan Henderson finally made his Ajax debut last night - here's how it went

After forcing his way out of an ill-fated contract with Al-Ettifaq in January, Jordan Henderson made his return to European football on Saturday night.

Henderson joined Ettifaq last summer from Liverpool - but after going winless in two months, he terminated his three-year contract with the club and reportedly waved all unpaid wages in a desperate attempt to get back to playing at a higher level.

Making his debut for Ajax, who after a horror start to the season have clawed their way back up to fifth in the table, Henderson faced the challenge of runaway leaders PSV, who went into the contest unbeaten in the league.

The former Reds skipper started in the holding midfield slot and nearly had an instant impact, lofting a ball through to Kenneth Taylor, who failed to finish.

He would then be involved in the move that gave Ajax a surprise lead, with captain Steven Berghuis converting.

However, the Amsterdam outfit would later be pegged back by former Barcelona striker Luuk De Jong, equalising for the title favourites.

Neither side was able to pick up the win, something Ajax would have been content with - becoming only the second side this season to take points off of PSV in the Eredivisie.

His first game of football since his last outing with Ettifaq in December, Henderson was greeted with the loudest cheer of the night inside the Johan Cruyff Arena upon the announcement of his name ahead of kick-off.

Incredibly, such buzz has been around the Premier League and Champions League winner's arrival that his jersey became the quickest selling in Ajax history - while pillows, bedsheets and towels with Henderson and the number six on them all sold out in the club shop.

A reminder that the likes of Cruyff, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Denis Bergkamp and Luis Suarez have all also played for Ajax.

There was also a special guest in attendance for the clash, unbeknownst to Henderson.

England manager Gareth Southgate watched Henderson from the stands for the first time since his Liverpool departure, having not made the trip to Saudi Arabia during the midfielder's time at Ettifaq.

"It's nice to know he came," Henderson said. "He picked a nice and high-intensity game to watch."

Questions will still surround Henderson's potential involvement in Euro 2024, held across the border in Germany - but his switch back to the European scene will surely help his cause in winning over Southgate.