Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp sent Jordan Henderson a clear warning before his disastrous move to Saudi Pro League club Al Ettifaq.
Henderson became one of the many top players to swap Europe for Saudi Arabia last summer, joining up with Reds legend Steven Gerrard as one of his marquee signings at Al Ettifaq.
But six months on from moving to the Saudi Pro League, Henderson was already on his way out, having agreed to terminate his contract.
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Al Ettifaq were in the midst of a near three-month winless streak when he departed, while reports claimed that he had failed to settle in Saudi Arabia.
The England international, who has kept his place in Gareth Southgate's Three Lions squads despite his Saudi move, is now at Ajax, whom he captained in his fourth appearance on Sunday.
And Klopp sent his now former Liverpool captain a warning before he even walked out of the door at Anfield.
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He said (quotes via The Athletic): "I told Hendo I wanted him to stay, but we had to talk in these conversations about the possibility of not playing regularly.
"I cannot have a talk before a season and tell a player they will have 50 games a season. It all depends on performances.
"And if Hendo had performed, he would have had maybe 50 games, absolutely possible."
Henderson had previously admitted that he felt he had to leave Liverpool due to his private conversation with Klopp - although the German's comment suggests that he may well have been able to stay and play regularly after all.
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The England midfielder told The Athletic: "There were a few things that sent alarm bells ringing.
"I've got a very good relationship with Jurgen. He was very honest with me.
"I won't go into detail about the conversation because it's private, but it put me in a position where I knew that I wasn't going to be playing as much. I knew there were going to be new players coming in my position."
Featured Image Credit: Getty / Sky SportsTopics: Liverpool, Jordan Henderson, Saudi Pro League, Steven Gerrard, Ajax, Jurgen Klopp