5 players who struggled after leaving Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool

There have been plenty of Liverpool players that have discovered that the grass isn't always greener on the other side.

The Reds have enjoyed enormous success since Jurgen Klopp's arrival in 2015, but even some of Liverpool's most influential players in recent years have chosen moves away from the club.

While there have been a plethora of reasons for player departures, few have found quick success after leaving Anfield.

In fact, some have endured pretty miserable spells after moving from Merseyside, often left glancing enviously over their shoulders at Liverpool's triumphs.

Here are five players that have struggled following Liverpool exits during the Jurgen Klopp era.

---

JORDAN HENDERSON

Having changed the infrastructure of Saudi Arabia from top to bottom during his six months in Asia, Jordan Henderson is reportedly keen on a return to Europe already.

The former Liverpool captain burnt plenty of bridges when he opted to make the controversial switch to the Saudi Pro League, a deal that has somewhat tarnished his reputation in eyes of the club's supporters.

Teaming up with another former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard, who currently manages Al Ettifaq, Henderson has been playing in front of measly crowds this season.

His Al Ettifaq side are also in woeful form, without a win since late October, and have dropped to eighth in the Saudi Pro League.

Unfortunately for Henderson, Al Ettifaq are not to keen to sell one of their prized assets, only allowing the 33-year-old to depart if they can make a profit on the £12m they spent last summer.

Given he is also on an astronomical wage, especially for a player of his calibre, even a loan move looks tricky.

At the moment, Henderson is stranded in Saudi Arabia.

ROBERTO FIRMINO

Another ex-Liverpool star struggling in Saudi Arabia is Roberto Firmino.

The centre-forward left Anfield on a free transfer last summer, joining up with Al Ahli after falling down the pecking order under Klopp.

Having scored a hat-trick on his Saudi Pro League debut, it looked as if things would go swimmingly for Firmino. However, the former Hoffenheim man hasn't scored for Al Ahli since, the Asian side reportedly desperate to get rid of their summer signing.

In fact, the 32-year-old's stock has fallen so much that he is now being linked with a January move to bottom-placed Sheffield United in the Premier League.

While still adored by Liverpool supporters, Firmino would have been better sticking around at Anfield as a bit-part player under Klopp.

SADIO MANE

After a blistering career at Anfield in which he won it all, Sadio Mane decided to try a new challenge at the end of the 2021/22 season.

The Senegalese star made the switch to Bayern Munich, but things certainly didn't work out for the winger in Bavaria.

While a return of 12 goals and six assists in 38 games for Die Roten doesn't sound too terrible, Mane was not a popular figure in Munich, especially once Thomas Tuchel arrived at the Allianz Arena.

The pressure got to Mane so much that he actually punched teammate Leroy Sane in a dressing room bust-up, the final nail in his coffin at Bayern.

Now plying his trade in the Saudi Pro League with Al Nassr, Mane has already matched last campaign's goal contributions during the first half of the 2023/24 season.

GEORGINIO WIJNALDUM

Having chosen to leave Liverpool in 2021 in the search for more money, Georginio Wijnaldum quickly regretted his decision to depart.

The Dutchman joined Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer, but failed to impress despite regular minutes during his time in France.

He then proceeded to join Roma on loan during the 2022/23 season, a move which looked to spark a revival. However, the midfielder was then sidelined for the majority of the campaign with a broken tibia, and was eventually shipped off to Al Ettifaq after returning to Paris.

Teaming up with Henderson in Saudi Arabia, Wijnaldum has endured the same difficulties as his former Liverpool teammate.

PHILIPPE COUTINHO

A transfer that worked out remarkably well for Liverpool - the £142m received reinvested in Alisson and Virgil van Dijk - Philippe Coutinho suffered a torrid time after moving to Barcelona in 2018.

The Brazilian quickly succumbed to the immense pressure of the Camp Nou, struggling to win over the Barcelona crowd after his hugely expensive switch.

Eventually loaned out to Bayern Munich - scoring a brace in an 8-2 win over Barca in the Champions League - Coutinho didn't do enough to convince Die Roten to sign him, while he also had no future in Catalonia.

Returning to the Premier League with Aston Villa, things started well for the playmaker, but he quickly found himself on the bench in the Midlands.

Now playing for Al Duhail in Qatar, his career nosedived after leaving Anfield. The grass isn't always greener, after all.