Jordan Henderson returns to Liverpool as fans beg him to 'talk sense' into ex-team-mate

Ex-Liverpool skipper Jordan Henderson was back at the AXA Training Centre this week and fans hope he used his visit to give one former team-mate a serious talking to.

Henderson ended a 12-year stay on Merseyside by joining Saudi Pro League side Al-Ettifaq at the start of last season. His disastrous spell in the Middle East lasted only a few months, and he returned to Europe with Dutch giants Ajax in January.

Having been left out of the squad for Ajax’s Europa League draw with Slavia Praha this week, Henderson took his opportunity to mingle with some familiar faces at Liverpool’s training ground.

Cameras snapped him embracing Virgil van Dijk, shaking the hands of coaching staff, chatting with Diogo Jota and in deep conversation with Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Fans are particularly interested in that last interaction, with Alexander-Arnold yet to sign a contract renewal at Anfield. As it stands, the right-back will be a free agent in July and Real Madrid have reportedly made contact to try and lure him away from his boyhood club.

The comments on Liverpool’s Instagram post about Henderson’s return were full of supporters hoping he had the chance to put a good word in to Alexander-Arnold about sticking around.

“Coming to talk some sense into his mate Trent and get him to sign a new deal [fingers crossed emoji],” wrote @vickery135. Along similar lines, @saintfrancys commented: “I swear he came to talk sense into Trent [crying laughing emojis],” and @hmdd9.7 said: “Lmao man came back to sort out Trent [crying laughing emoji]”.

Even if Henderson did get the chance to speak with Alexander-Arnold, the full-back is still subject to other forces pulling him towards Madrid, not least his England team-mate and good friend, Jude Bellingham.

The Birmingham City youth product has enjoyed huge success since landing at the Bernabeu and Alexander-Arnold, who turns 26 next week, will naturally be keen to capitalise on his prime years.

He isn’t the only Liverpool heavyweight threatening to leave Anfield next summer. In a worrying situation for new manager Arne Slot, Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk are also approaching the end of their contracts, and signs of new deals have not been forthcoming.

Van Dijk even dropped a big hint that his stint with the Reds could be coming to an end. “Whatever happens now, Anfield has a special place in my heart,” he told Sky Sports in August. “And it’s been successful. Let’s see what happens.”