Why is Jordan Henderson not in England squad? How leaving Liverpool backfired

England kicks off its Euro 2024 campaign on Sunday evening against Serbia in Gelsenkirchen. Gareth Southgate's men are among the competition favorites and there is the expectation that England will at the very least make it into the latter rounds of the tournament.

However, one player who won't be in Germany — at least in a playing capacity — is former Liverpool midfielder Jordan Henderson. Henderson would've been almost certainly in Germany had it not been for a disastrous move to Saudi Arabia a year ago.

Despite his advancing years, Henderson was still considered a integral part of Southgate's side. Henderson was key to the England dressing room, having been part of the set-up since 2010. Henderson had been Southgate's vice-captain and played every game, except the opener, in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

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At Liverpool, Henderson's presence in the starting XI had, naturally, began to diminish as he got older. Like with England, Henderson was still considered a key player for Jürgen Klopp and was a locker room leader. Moreover, Henderson was captain of Liverpool and set the standard for everyone else.

The beginning of the end started when Henderson left Liverpool for Saudi Pro League side Al-Ettifaq. Managed by Reds' legend Steven Gerrard, Henderson opted to leave Liverpool and join the exodus of Premier League players switching from the Premier League to the Middle Kingdom.

Henderson's jaunt in Saudi Arabia was brief. He lasted all of six months and, unable to settle, tore up his contract, and the millions of pounds he was due, in order to return to Europe. He joined Dutch side Ajax on a two-and-a-half yeah deal in January, but his form was Ajax wasn't good and injuries didn't help his cause, with Henderson making only 10 league appearances with his new side.

The end result was Henderson being cut by Southgate from the England squad for the tournament. Speaking of his decision to snub the 33-year-old, Southgate said: "Hendo has given himself every chance. From the last camp, he missed five weeks through injury and he hasn’t been able to get to that tempo since then."

His Euro 2024 omission likely marks the end of his international career with England. Henderson won 81 caps and scored three times.

Liverpool.com says: Henderson will surely live to regret leaving Liverpool for Saudi Arabia. The decision to move away from Liverpool could be argued to be the correct decision, but he could've went to another side in England or in Europe, but the move to the Saudi Pro League did nothing but harm his chances of making Euro 2024 and damaged his reputation in England.