Chelsea signed Jordan Henderson, who made 492 appearances for Liverpool in 12 years, following the expiry of his contract at Brentford in the summer.

Emile Heskey has explained why Liverpool were right to give Chelsea a free run at Jordan Henderson.

The 36-year-old, whom the Blues signed as a free agent in the summer, following the expiry of his contract at Brentford, has hit the ground running at Stamford Bridge, rolling back the years to give Xabi Alonso a reliable option in the middle of the park.

Henderson has started each of the last four Premier League games for Chelsea, scoring two goals and providing one assist. In the absence of Reece James, who's nursing an injury, and a replacement for Enzo Fernandez, who left the Blues to join Manchester City for a British record fee on deadline day, the England international has somewhat steadied the ship.

With the Chelsea manager keen to carefully manage Romeo Lavia's workload, too, Henderson has quietly established himself as a key player in the squad. Meanwhile, at Anfield, Andoni Iraola hasn't strayed far from a double pivot of Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister.

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With the Reds boss seemingly not a fan of Wataru Endo and Trey Nyoni often brought off the bench, only Dominik Szoboszlai has regularly been viewed as an alternative holding midfielder.

When quizzed on the former Liverpool captain's move to the Blues in the summer, Heskey argued that higher-ups at Anfield would rather sign a younger player with a greater sell-on value.

The 48-year-old said: "Should Liverpool have tried to re-sign Jordan Henderson? I think yes and no. I think they'll be happy with the way they're going at the moment.

"Liverpool’s recruitment team have to look at the value of a player when they bring them in. They have to look at ability on and off the pitch, and, normally, their sell-on value as well.

"I think they look at all those aspects, and that's why they're going for younger players. Liverpool’s squad is well-stocked in the middle of the park."

Heskey added: "Admittedly, the manager would probably say he’s still trying to get the balance and blend right, but he and the recruitment team will be hoping that a player like Alexis Mac Allister could fill that senior role and bring that Henderson-style leadership to the team."

Henderson will return to Anfield this evening when Liverpool hosts Chelsea in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup. Although the Englishman may be rested, with Lavia yet to start a game for the Blues this month, he'll hope for a warm welcome.

He last visited Anfield on the final day of last season, when Brentford held Liverpool to a 1-1 draw. Speaking candidly to Sky Sports after the game, Henderson poured his heart out to the Reds faithful

"I was there 12 years, dedicated a lot of my life," said the Englishman. "My kids were born there, so it holds a special place in my heart. I still want Liverpool to do well - of course not when we're playing them, but overall - and that'll never change.

"And the fans have always been amazing, and it was special just to see a few of them. I know they probably left a bit early because of the result, but it was nice to see them again..."