Jordan Henderson appeared to appeal for a Liverpool penalty against his own Chelsea side during a bizarre moment at Anfield in the League Cup.
The former Liverpool captain was facing his old club in Chelsea colours after joining the Blues during the summer, but his instinctive reaction in the first half suggested his long association with the Reds had briefly taken over.
Jordan Henderson appears to appeal for Liverpool penalty
The incident came shortly before half-time, after Chelsea had taken the lead through Morgan Rogers’ penalty. Liverpool were then awarded a spot-kick when Fofana was penalised for handling the ball inside the Chelsea area.
As Liverpool players appealed for the decision, Henderson raised his arm alongside Virgil van Dijk, appearing to join his former team-mates in calling for the penalty.
The sight of a Chelsea player seemingly demanding a spot-kick against his own side quickly drew amusement from supporters on social media.
Henderson spent more than a decade at Anfield and captained Liverpool during a successful period in which the club won the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup and League Cup. He left Liverpool in 2023.
Cody Gakpo converted the penalty, sending Chelsea goalkeeper Mike Penders the wrong way to make it 1-1 before the interval.
Henderson booed on return to Anfield
Henderson’s return was met with a mixed reception from the home support. When Chelsea won their first-half penalty, he picked up the ball and walked towards the spot as though he intended to take it, prompting loud boos and jeers from the Kop.
He smiled at the crowd before handing the ball to Rogers, who took the penalty instead.
Although Henderson scored in the subsequent shootout, Liverpool prevailed 6-5 on penalties after the match finished 1-1, sending Chelsea out of the competition.
