The Player Liverpool Nearly Swapped For Jordan Henderson Now Looks Crazy

In just a few weeks Jordan Henderson will lead Liverpool out to face Real Madrid in the Champions League final but back in 2012 his Anfield career was nearly ended because Brendan Rodgers wanted to swap him.

For so long maligned by many Henderson has just got better and better this season and is undoubtedly one of the major cogs in the Liverpool side that have progressed to the final of the Champions League.

In fact so improved is Henderson and his form that he could yet be England's captain at the World Cup, with Gareth Southgate yet to announce who will wear the armband in Russia.

However things could have been a lot different for the midfielder. Back in the summer of 2012 then manager Brendan Rodgers made him available for transfer and actually wanted to swap him.

As per an interview with the player in 2012 the Telegraph reported that Rodgers wanted then Fulham forward Clint Dempsey and was ready to offload the former Sunderland midfielder in order to get his man.

Dempsey nearly ended up at Liverpool. Image: PA Images

Speaking to the newspaper at the time Henderson said, "When the manager told me I could go to Fulham it was a bit of a shock at first. What he said came as a sort of bolt from the blue. I think the Dempsey situation had stalled, but it wasn't really of interest to me.

"I worked really had to come to a club like Liverpool and I didn't want to leave in a hurry. I want to stay at Liverpool for as long as I can. I want to keep fighting for my place and I told the manager that. I said I wanted to stay and keep fighting because I believe I can get into the team.

"I just wanted to focus on playing for Liverpool, work hard and get myself into the team. Some people might have thought they'd rather go and play football but I said I will continue to work hard every day, keep fighting and I believe I have the ability to be in the team."

Dalglish with his signings. Image: PA Images

Henderson was a Kenny Dalglish signing but the Scotsman was gone by the following summer and replaced by Rodgers who clearly wanted to build his own team.

American Dempsey would eventually move to Spurs where he lasted only one season after failing to make such a big impact, he returned to Craven Cottage for a loan spell before moving to the MLS.

Life for Henderson and Liverpool nearly panned out very differently.

Topics: Liverpool, Football News, Brendan Rodgers, Jordan Henderson, Fulham

Ryan Sidle

Ryan is a writer for SPORTbible. He covers all sport from football, formula one, cricket, rugby, tennis, athletics, mma and wrestling. He obviously hates YOUR football team and has no interest in synchronised swimming.

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