Jordan Henderson could have ended up on the books at Arsenal or Manchester United, it’s claimed.
The England international has become a key player at Liverpool in recent years.
He was snapped up in 2011 by Kenny Daglish for £16.75m having impressed at Sunderland.
At the time, his transfer fee raised eyebrows given his relative inexperience.
But according to former Liverpool director of football Damien Comolli, both United and the Gunners were jockeying for position.
“I went up to £16.75 million to the great displeasure of the owners who absolutely slaughtered me on the phone,” he told The Athletic .
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“I called Kenny [Daglish] and said: ‘You need to help me on this one.’ He said: ‘It’s a great deal, I’ll tell them you did a great deal.’
“I know Jordan had meetings with [Manchester] United and Arsenal. But very early he said it was Liverpool and nothing else.”
Henderson is currently sidelined with a hamstring injury that he picked up against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League.
The experienced midfielder had faced criticism from fans earlier in the season.
But Klopp was quick to back his man as the boo boys made their voices heard.
“Yes, he’s exceptional, yes, he’s outstanding,” said Klopp.
“I would have to say what Gini [Wijnaldum] and Hendo have done, with the number of games they’ve played, is absolutely incredible, I don’t take that for granted for one second.
“If anyone who is with us doesn’t see the quality of Jordan Henderson I can’t help him.
“Is Hendo the perfect football player? No. Do I know anybody who is? No. Is he unbelievably important to us? Yes.
“He didn’t like that No.6 position when he saw how good Fabinho is.
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“I asked him, two or three weeks ago when he played exceptional in that position, ‘you don’t like this position, right?’ and he was laughing.
“Before that he played centre-half.
“I don’t know what Gareth Southgate is now doing with him, which position he will play [for England] but there are a few options.
“You see in life character and mentality helps always. In this case especially.”
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