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Liverpool fans have called out Jordan Henderson for his 'snide' actions on his return to Anfield during their Carabao Cup clash with Chelsea.
Henderson, who spent an illustrious 12 years at Liverpool from 2011 to 2023, suffered an unhappy Merseyside return after the Blues lost 6-5 on penalties.
It was the first time the 36-year-old came back to Anfield since joining Chelsea in the summer, alongside Xabi Alonso, and the midfielder certainly divided opinion among Reds supporters during the match.
When Henderson departed Liverpool in 2023, the Englishman did so as a club legend after making 492 appearances and spending eight seasons as captain.
But despite winning eight trophies, including the Premier League, Champions League, and an FA Cup during his tenure, Henderson's decision to join Chelsea in the summer caused backlash, and this anger could be heard from thousands of fans who booed him every time he touched the ball.
The England international didn't help his cause to get a good reception by smirking at his former club as he walked to the penalty spot after his side won a spot kick before handing the ball to Morgan Rogers, who converted it with aplomb to initially give his side a first-half lead.
That was cancelled out moments later in the 43rd minute when Cody Gakpo equalised from 12 yards, with the game eventually being decided on penalties as Liverpool prevailed 6-5 after Wesley Fofana blazed the ball over the bar.
A defeat for Henderson against his former club didn't stop Liverpool fans from calling him out on X for his actions during the match after he seemingly forgot what team he was playing for. When his own teammate, Fofana, appeared to handle the ball in the box, he instantly waved his arm in the air to referee Darren England to appeal for a penalty.
"Can’t stand Henderson me," one supporter wrote.
"Proper snide little Tory that Henderson like," another commented.
The overwhelming reaction from fans wasn't just negative, though, with someone else posting: "Was so weird seeing him out there in blue. Alonso also a bit strange."
"Hendo has the muscle memory of an elephant. Great man," a fourth stated, while a fifth said: "Once a red, always a red."
The hostile reception may have been in part motivated by the midfielder's desire to contest several decisions with Liverpool's players and the referee, along with the fact he is now representing Chelsea.
Henderson did later applaud the crowd after the game, when he was also seen laughing and joking with former teammate Virgil van Dijk.
Alonso, meanwhile, also returned to Anfield for the first time since joining Chelsea. The Spanish midfielder equally earned club legend status with the Reds, making 210 appearances across five years between 2004 and 2009.
Reacting to his side's defeat, the 44-year-old was pleased with the performance, but was disappointed that Maxence Lacroix was forced off in the first half after suffering a hamstring problem.
"It is us in this case, but I have to say that during the game we played at a very good competitive level; it was a good performance. We showed an improvement, I would say. That's what we wanted," Alonso admitted.
"We played with courage. The game was really close; it could have gone either way. There were not many chances for both sides and we have tried to overcome difficult moments as well, like Max’s [Lacroix] injury.
"It's a small setback, but we need to move on. As soon as we leave Anfield, our focus is Saturday's Premier League game."
Chelsea host Manchester United on Saturday (October 31) in a huge clash at Stamford Bridge.