Hennes Behrens: Who is Augsburg's marathon man who caught Jürgen Klopp's eye?
After helping Augsburg to a record start to the 2026/27 Bundesliga campaign, left-back Hennes Behrens has earned his first senior Germany cap under Jürgen Klopp. But what else is there to know about the 21-year-old defender?
Data correct as of 28 September
Age: 21 (born: 19 January 2005)
Club: Augsburg
Position: Left-back/left-midfielder
Country: Germany (one cap, zero goals)
Key stats and facts
Behrens was born in Frankfurt, but it was at the youth academies of Mainz, Darmstadt and ultimately Hoffenheim where the youngster would hone his craft. Incidentally, it was with the latter's reserves team where Behrens had his first taste of senior football, debuting in the Regionalliga as recently as 2024.
His senior professional debut followed a few months later, when Behrens came off the bench in a 4–3 UEFA Europa League win over Anderlecht on 30 January 2025.
That one-minute cameo would be one of just two professional appearances for the Sinsheimers, with Behrens making his Bundesliga bow just three days later - once again as a substitute - in a 3-1 defeat away to Bayer Leverkusen on Matchday 20 of the 2024/25 campaign.
Almost a whole year after, a loan move to Heidenheim then materialised in January 2026, but although Behrens would become a mainstay in Frank Schmidt's side for the latter half of the season - making 16 Bundesliga appearances and scoring his first and only Bundesliga goal to date in a 3-3 draw with Leverkusen - the youngster would be unable to help Heidenheim avoid relegation.
Watch: Behrens' first Bundesliga goal in Leverkusen draw
At the season's end, Behrens returned to Hoffenheim before joining Augsburg on a permanent basis in July. Since his arrival, the 21-year-old has become a key figure in Manuel Baum's side, playing every minute of the 2026/27 campaign up to Matchday 4.
His impressive performances in the early stage of the season was rewarded by Germany head coach Klopp, who gave the young defender his first-ever international call-up at any level for the September/October international break as part of his 44-man squad, before handing Behrens his senior debut in the 1-0 defeat to Greece in the UEFA Nations League.
Plays a bit like: Andrew Robertson
Behrens' relentless work rate, both offensively and defensively, as well as his penchant for early crosses and well-timed sliding tackles, draws a stark comparison to the Scotland captain, whom Klopp signed back in 2017 whilst head coach of Premier League side Liverpool.
Although he has tended to be deployed further up the field for Augsburg than his Scottish counterpart, Behrens is no less capable of playing in a back four than he is playing as a wing-back as part of a back five. His versatility also comes to the fore in his aptitude for using both feet. Perhaps it is these common qualities with Robertson that made Klopp an admirer of the 21-year-old's game.
Did you know?
Hennes is not the only sportsperson in the Behrens family. His older sister Jule is a triathlete and - among other achievements in the sport - has notably won both European and World junior triathlon titles back in 2021. Their mother, Alexadra Rechel, is also an age-group world champion Ironman triathlete.
What they're saying
"He lives and breathes the game 24/7. When you watch him, he covers more than 12 kilometres a match; you simply can’t shake him off. He’s involved in every duel, always right there in the thick of it. He’s a high‑energy, dependable team player you can always count on." – Augsburg head coach Manuel Baum
"He brings valuable Bundesliga experience at his young age and has already proven his qualities at this level. His physique and abilities make him a very good fit for our team." – Augsburg sporting director Benjamin Weber
"He’s developing steadily. He’s a player with real self-belief and the right attitude - someone who doesn’t hide, who steps forward and looks to take the initiative." – Heidenheim head coach Frank Schmidt
