Ex-Liverpool chief reveals why he was sacked for signing Jordan Henderson from Sunderland

Comolli was appointed as director of football strategy at Anfield in 2010, with a specific focus on recruiting players.

But when he left the club in 2012, Comolli was told that the signing of Henderson from Sunderland was one of the reasons for his dismissal – with the club’s owners at the time believing the deal was a ‘big mistake’.

Henderson has since gone on to lead Liverpool to the Champions League and, with the Reds well on course for the Premier League title, Comolli was pleased to see his decision to sign the central midfielder vindicated.

Speaking to the Athletic, he said: “The day they sacked me, they said you made a big mistake with Jordan Henderson.

“I said 'are you sure?' and they said 'yes, it's a big mistake'.

“I said I thought they were wrong, but what can I say? They are the owners of the club and if they want to make that decision then they make that decision.

"I was convinced he would be special. I was convinced he would be a Liverpool captain because he had all the attributes as a player and as a person.

“I'm delighted to see what he's achieved and I think there is a lot more to come.

“I think he could win something on the international stage, he's going to win the Premier League, and I think he could win a lot more going forward with Liverpool.”