Jordan Henderson has defended Liverpool owners FSG despite their involvement in the attempted European Super League.
The Reds were one of 12 founding clubs who went public with their intention to join the breakaway league last month, only to withdraw from the proposed tournament after just 48 hours following widespread condemnation.
Liverpool owner John W. Henry issued a video apology to fans as he took responsibility for the Reds' involvement in the project, with FSG's standing supporters at its most unstable since their Anfield takeover back in 2010.
But Henderson has defended Liverpool's owners, pointing out that he wouldn't be a Premier League or Champions League winner if it wasn't for the group.
“If you look at it, they’ve done a good job,” he told the New York Times. “They’ve grown the club. They’ve put money in. They’ve built a new training ground. They brought the manager in.”
While Henderson credits Liverpool's owners for the club's recent success, he admits he feared the Reds' involvement in the European Super League would tarnish their achievements under FSG.
Reiterating his opposition to the collapsed plans, he also hit out at the approved Champions League expansion as he bemoaned the extra strain being put on players.
“I was worried it would tarnish it,” he said. “We have all built to this point, and I didn’t want a divide. Teams not being relegated isn’t right. You have to earn your right to be in the Champions League.
“The Super League wasn’t right but the new Champions League isn’t right, either. There has been no consideration for player welfare.
“I know it is hard to hear players moaning when people are working nine-to-five, but we are giving everything when we play. You are exhausted when you come off after a game, and then you have no time to recover. It’s unacceptable. It’s screaming for injury.”
