Trent Alexander-Arnold thanks ‘perfect role model’ Jordan Henderson in an emotional tribute after the Liverpool captain’s departure

Trent Alexander-Arnold has hailed Jordan Henderson as ‘the perfect role model’ as he led the tributes following the midfielder’s departure from Liverpool.   

After 12 years at Liverpool, Henderson has signed for Saudi Arabian side Al-Ettifaq in a £12million move, where he will earn £700,000-a-week. Henderson will link up with Reds legend Steven Gerrard, who manages Al-Ettifaq.

During his time at Liverpool Henderson made 492 appearances and scored 33 goals, while he provided 61 assists. He won the Premier League (as Liverpool secured their first title in 30 years), the Champions League, the FA Cup and two League Cups.

Henderson, who was appointed as Liverpool captain in 2015 has been a source of guidance for Alexander-Arnold, who first featured for the first-team in 2016.

Alexander-Arnold wrote on Twitter: ‘Skipper, where do I start? The one constant factor in my career since my debut. My Liverpool and England journey we have been together since day 1. 

Trent Alexander-Arnold has described Jordan Henderson as the perfect role model

The Liverpool star said Henderson was a ‘constant inspiration’ to him with club and country

‘To have shared every dressing room with you is something i’ll always cherish. A constant inspiration to me and the perfect role model on a daily basis, following your lead meant I was always on the right path.’

The pair have also played together for England and Alexander-Arnold thanked Henderson for his help both on and off the pitch.

Alexander-Arnold also added that he and Henderson have ‘achieved things we could only dream of as kids’. 

‘You have done so much for me on and off the pitch, more than you will ever know and for that i’ll never be able to repay you. I’ll always be grateful for the support you’ve given me to become a man and a better player. 

‘We’ve shared some of the best moments of our lives together, and achieved things we could only dream of as kids. Here’s to the memories we have created.. Thank you for everything my captain’.

Henderson and Alexander-Arnold are set to continue to be team-mates at international level, with Gareth Southgate having told Henderson that he will still be considered for England selection following his move.  

Henderson has become the highest paid English player ever after sealing his move to Al-Ettifaq.

He is set to earn £36million a year and over £100million if he sees out the three years of his contract.

Henderon, right, was officially unveiled as an Al-Ettifaq played on Thursday after a £12m move

Andy Robertson wrote on Instagram that Henderson will go down as one of the greatest in Liverpool’s history.

He wrote: ‘Brother, where to even start? From day one of coming to this club you have treated me like family and I can’t thank you enough for the love and support you have given me over the past 6 years.

‘Your legacy speaks for itself, you lifted every trophy there is and will go down as one of the greatest in Liverpool history.

‘I will miss you, my family will miss you, the team will miss you and the everyone connected to the club will miss you.

‘Wish you and your family nothing but success and happiness and I know I will always be able to call you my mate!

‘Love you, skip’.

Virgil van Dijk wrote on his Instagram story: ‘Thank you for everything @jordanhenderson. What great times we had together! All the best in the next chapter. We gonna miss you, I’m gonna miss you and just know that we all appreciate you!’. 

Thiago also praised Henderson, tweeting: ‘We gonna miss you. Good luck and all the best, Skipper’.

Alexander-Arnold was among the players to praise Henderson in a video message

Virgil van Dijk says Henderson played a significant part in convincing him to join the club

Andy Robertson praised Henderson’s determination when Liverpool won the Premier League

Liverpool also posted a video in which members of the squad praised Henderson.

Alexander-Arnold said: ‘I just wanted to say a massive thank you for everything really. You were probably the player who welcomed me and helped me feel at home and at ease around other players and around the whole squad.

‘No matter if I was a young boy or growing into a man, you were the one I always wanted to impress.

‘I hear the word captain and automatically you’re the person that springs to mind, so thank you for everything, ‘skip’. ‘

Alisson said: ‘Since I arrived here you opened your arms and received me as if I was your little brother.’

Robertson praised Henderson’s determination during Liverpool’s Premier League title winning season of 2019-20. 

He said: ‘Hendo, it’s a bit strange to think about this club without you. Since I’ve come in you’ve looked after me, giving me your house to rent at the start when I didn’t know where to go, I didn’t know what I needed and things like that.

‘The thing that sticks out the most for me about you and about my time at Liverpool was the season we won the Premier League. How focused you were, you just got in a groove and we kind of went off your energy. And you made sure that we achieved our dreams and we achieved the dreams of the fans of bringing the Premier League eventually to Liverpool.

‘I’m going to miss you and what you’ve left behind is a massive hole, but it’s one that we’ll try and put together again because that’s the way you would have done it.’ 

Goalkeeper Alisson says that Henderson welcomed him to the club like he was his brother

Cody Gakpo recalled how he was left hugely impressed by a speech from Henderson

Curtis Jones says that Henderson helped him to mature and gave him a lot of guidance

Van Dik said: ‘You helped me a lot in the beginning, convinced me why I should join your team, so that was very helpful and a big part of why I wanted to come as well.’

‘Obviously we’ve been through many things and we’re going to miss you, I’m going to miss you.’ 

Mohamed Salah also spoke highly of Henderson and said: ‘We played together for six years, it was my pleasure to play with you. Everybody loves you here, what a great captain, what a great person you are.

‘We had an unbelievable time together, we showed so many good moments and you were always there for everybody. 

‘I don’t know exactly what to say, but we’re going to miss you a lot, everybody in the team is going to miss you.  

Curtis Jones says that Henderson helped to guide him into a man. He said: ‘The first time I came I was young, I was immature. You put an arm around me and guided me, into a man now.’

Harvey Elliott said: ‘Thank you for being such a wonderful player and teaching me the ways of what it means to play for Liverpool.’

Henderson won seven trophies at Liverpool including the Champions League back in 2019

Adrian remembered how Henderson celebrated with him after Liverpool beat Chelsea in the Super Cup in 2019. He said: ‘Super Cup you were the first one that was there with open arms.’

Kostas Tsimikas also praised Henderson’s reaction to his winning penalty in the FA Cup final against Chelsea in 2022. He said: ‘When I scored the penalty, you celebrated like a small kid, like you hadn’t won any other trophy in your career.’

Cody Gakpo recalled how he was left hugely impressed by a speech that van Dijk made during a difficult moment. He said: ‘We were not in a good place as a team and one day you made a speech. At that moment I really thought, you are the real skipper of this team.’

Joel Matip said: ‘Even if I will miss your shouts next to me, I’m really grateful to have spent some time with you on the pitch and off the pitch.