Jordan Henderson admitted he had no idea that Gareth Southgate was coming to Amsterdam to watch his Ajax debut against PSV.
'I wasn't aware he (Southgate) was here. I've only just found out now,' Henderson admitted post-match.
'I don't know (if he kept it a secret). He might not have wanted to put pressure on me but it's nice to know that he came to watch. He picked a nice and high-intense game to watch.'
Henderson started for Ajax and played the full game against the league leaders, who are unbeaten in the Eredivisie this season and remain 21 points ahead of the hosts after a 1-1 draw.
The 33-year-old played in a deeper midfield role and nearly had an instant impact with a lofted through ball to Kenneth Taylor, who failed to convert.
Minutes later, Henderson was involved in the move from which Ajax captain Steven Berghuis gave them the lead, before PSV equalised through Luuk De Jong.
It was the first game for the England midfielder since playing for Al Ettifaq against Al Hazem in Saudi Arabia in December in front of 5,000 fans and his introduction pre-match at the Johan Cruyff Arena was met with the loudest cheer out of any of the Ajax players from a crowd of over 50,000.
'It felt incredible. It certainly didn't disappoint, and I loved every second of it,' said Henderson, who stressed that he was keen to close the book on his controversial six-month stint in Saudi Arabia.
'I just want to concentrate on Ajax and the future and focus on this new chapter of my career. This was a special night for me to be out there and an amazing game to start with,' Henderson added. 'It's been an incredible first few weeks.
'I couldn't have felt more at home if I tried. I've settled really well and I feel like I've been here such a long time
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