Jordan Henderson's 10 best moments for Liverpool

This looks like the end for Jordan Henderson's 12-year stay at Liverpool.

The skipper has given his all for the shirt, winning the lot along the way. However, it seems as though we've now seen our last Hendo shuffle.

With the 33-year-old's role likely to have been significantly reduced in 2023/24, as Liverpool attempt the biggest midfield overhaul of the Jurgen Klopp era, Henderson has set his mind on a move to Al-Ettifaq of Saudi Arabia, where he will re-unite with Steven Gerrard.

Although the manner (and destination) of the transfer has left a bad taste with some, one thing is clear: Jordan Brian Henderson will undoubtedly leave Liverpool as one of the most successful captains to ever wear the shirt.

Here's a look back at his ten finest moments for Liverpool...

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Turning down Fulham

The sliding doors moment in the life and career of Jordan Henderson.

Just over a year after the midfielder moved to Anfield in 2011, there were reports that then manager Brendan Rodgers was already ready to show him the door.

The Northern Irishman wasn't convinced of Henderson's ability and wanted to use the £20m signing in a swap deal with Fulham for Clint Dempsey (of all people).

It was an offer that was met with a resounding "no".

Henderson chose to stay and fight for his place, eventually proving his talents as a midfielder and leader to Rodgers, who made him captain in 2015.

"I'd do absolutely everything to be in his team, this football club, and I'd prove them wrong. In the end, I did," the skipper told The Guardian years later.

Great Character, as Rodgers himself might say.

Becoming captain

Years of drive, guts and determination meant that the man who was once destined to leave the club, was officially appointed as the Liverpool captain in the summer of 2015, following Steven Gerrard's departure.

Having assumed vice-captain responsibilities after the departure of Daniel Agger a year prior, Henderson had already led out Liverpool 19 times as a result of Gerrard seeing reduced minutes in the twilight of his career.

The next eight years were to be some ride...

Man City goal

Of his 33 goals for the Reds, this absolute cracker against Liverpool's rivals Manchester City in 2015 is right up there with the best.

Raheem Sterling was attacking the Kop End and found the captain in space to his left.

Without a second thought, Henderson shifted it inside onto his strong foot and whipped a dagger into the top right corner to the roar of the Anfield crowd.

It was some opening goal, and ultimately paved the way to victory with Liverpool winning 2-1 on the day.

Staring down Diego Costa

One of the great pests of the Premier League era, Diego Costa was famous for getting under the skin of defenders, with his constant backchat, sly fouls and, let's face it, regular cheating.

Throughout a 1-1 draw between Liverpool and Chelsea in 2015, Costa and Henderson exchanged words (and questionable challenges), culminating in an intense stare-down which saw the Liverpool midfielder stand strong and the Spain international sheepishly back away.

Hendo put Costa in his place and the internet doesn't let him forget it.

Chelsea goal

We've had a moment against Chelsea and we've had an unbelievable strike ... so, why not combine the two?

Henderson's winner against the Blues back in 2016 was nothing short of sensational.

A failed Chelsea clearance fell nicely for the Liverpool skipper around 30 yards from goal. One touch to control, the other to launch an inch-perfect rocket into the stanchion. Two keepers wouldn't have saved it.

An unstoppable effort which put Liverpool 2-0 up on the day, meaning Costa's late strike was a mere consolation as the Reds claimed victory.

Lifting number six

On that special night in Madrid, eight years after his Liverpool debut, Henderson became only the fifth Liverpool captain to lift the European Cup.

Besides the result itself, one of the most memorable things about the night was Henderson's reaction to the final whistle.

He immediately found his father in all of the madness and sobbed his heart out. Many have questioned his footballing ability over the years, but in that moment, he was a Champions League winning captain and no one could take it away from him and his family.

It was later revealed that Henderson's dad had been diagnosed with cancer years earlier but not told his son for fear of derailing his career.

Ending the 30-year wait

The floodgates opened after European success and Henderson also became the first Liverpool captain to lift the league title in the Premier League era, ending the 30-year wait.

Liverpool were on fire in the 2019/20 season — 32 wins in 38 games, 99 points overall and a frankly unfathomable 18 points gap to second-place Manchester City.

So, in Liverpool's best ever season in Premier League history, who was awarded FWA Footballer of the Year? Jordan Henderson.

An incredible campaign, both individually for the captain and collectively, was only marred by the fact that Covid-19 restrictions meant the Premier League trophy lift (and Henderson's patented shuffle) took place behind closed doors.

NHS Champion

Not all of Henderson's finest moments came on the pitch.

The captain has also been an advocate for important causes during his time as Reds captain and was named as the first NHS Charities Together 'Champion' after leading the #PlayersTogether initiative during the Covid 19 pandemic, which saw Premier League players donate millions to the NHS and wear the badge on their kits.

Henderson was also given an MBE in 2022 for his charitable work.

Sadly, his advocacy for LGBTQ+ issues looks to be somewhat undermined by his move to Saudi Arabia.

Milan goal

The skipper didn't score too many Champions League goals throughout his Liverpool career (just two to be precise), but scoring an absolute banger to win a five-goal thriller is not a bad way to make up for that shortcoming.

The home fixture against Milan in the group stage of 2021/22 was a cracker. With things poised going into the final 25 minutes, a corner was cleared right into Henderson's path.

The captain drove a fierce strike through the crowded box and into the back of the net, winning the game 3-2.

Liverpool went on to win every single game in their group that year, before fighting their way to the final.

Domestic double

The 2021/22 season was truly remarkable from start to finish — with Liverpool fighting for an unprecedented quadruple until the bitter, bitter end.

After missing out on Premier League trophy celebrations with the fans, Henderson and the rest of the squad fully relished the opportunity to celebrate winning the domestic cup double, despite missing out on the Premier League and Champions League trophies by the narrowest of margins.

The skipper was a driving force in the team throughout a relentless campaign, racking up 57 appearances in all competitions, and adding 10 goal contributions to the cause.

It's been some journey. Hard to believe it would've been quite the same at Craven Cottage...