Jurgen Klopp claims Liverpool had ‘no chance’ of stopping Fabinho and Jordan Henderson from leaving the club for Saudi Arabia after hearing of their proposed deals

Jurgen Klopp has claimed that face-to-face interviews with both Jordan Henderson and Fabinho revealed that Liverpool stood ‘no chance’ of keeping them from Saudi Arabia.

Klopp’s Reds team has been hit by two key departures, with their captain Henderson joining Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard at Al-Ettifaq, and Fabinho joining reigning Saudi Pro League champions Al-Ittihad.  

While Liverpool wanted to retain both players, who had been pivotal in bringing success to Anfield in recent years, they found that it was an uphill battle when compared to what the Saudi’s were offering on the table.

In an interview with German outlet Sport1, Klopp said: ‘It was a special situation for us. Bobby’s [Firmino] contract has expired. Of course he can go and do whatever he wants. He just made his choice and that’s perfectly fine.

‘When Hendo and Fabinho then sat in my office and talked to me about it, I knew when I found out more about the conditions that we have practically no chance of taking action against it.’

Jordan Henderson is reportedly the highest-paid English footballer ever at Al-Ettifaq

Fabinho joined reigning Saudi Pro League champions Al-Ittihad at the end of his Liverpool deal

Henderson is reportedly the highest-paid English footballer ever, making £700,000 a week at Al-Ettifaq, and it is no surprise that Klopp is staggered by these numbers. 

The German gaffer said: ‘The financial conditions in this league are absolutely exceptional.

‘I would say there are almost no limits. Anyone who can sign Cristiano Ronaldo and pay him for it definitely has no limits anymore.’

When asked to comment on the topic of human rights in Saudi Arabia, Klopp said: ‘It’s super difficult to comment and not burn your mouth, no matter which direction. 

‘Basically, I think that with all the different perceptions we have, we definitely don’t understand the culture in all its details.

Klopp says players like Henderson moving there will improve understanding of Saudi Arabia

Liverpool recouped almost £52m for the services of Fabinho and Henderson, but must rebuild

‘As long as we only look at it from the outside, nothing will happen. If there is one positive aspect of the whole story, it’s that Saudi Arabia will be much more in the public eye.’

He said he is convinced that the movement of more players to Saudi Arabia will increase the understanding about the country, and may start to change things for the better. 

While Liverpool recouped almost £52m for the services of Fabinho and Henderson, the Reds are now struggling to find a defensive midfielder, missing out on Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia to Chelsea.

Klopp’s Liverpool host Bournemouth on Saturday afternoon, after kicking off their Premier League campaign with a 1-1 draw away at Chelsea.