Jordan Henderson addresses Saudi Pro League transfer speculation in candid interview
Liverpool’s esteemed captain, Jordan Henderson, has finally broken his silence regarding the ongoing rumors linking him to a potential move to the Saudi Pro League. Despite having two more years left on his contract with Anfield, the 33-year-old midfielder finds himself facing an uncertain future.
With the recent acquisitions of Alexis Mac Allister from Brighton and Dominik Szoboszlai from RB Leipzig, Henderson now faces stiff competition for a spot in Jurgen Klopp’s starting lineup. Additionally, Liverpool’s continuous pursuit of midfield reinforcements, including Southampton’s Romeo Lavia, has fueled speculations of a potential departure for Henderson this summer.
Among the clubs reportedly expressing interest in the talented English international is Al Ettifaq, a prominent side in the Saudi Pro League. The intriguing factor here is the recent appointment of former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard as their new head coach. According to 90 min, Gerrard, eager to bolster his squad, aims to bring Henderson and another former Liverpool teammate, Philippe Coutinho, to Saudi Arabia.
Al Ettifaq’s ambitious plans to rebuild their team, after finishing seventh last season, have included promising Gerrard substantial financial resources. However, it remains uncertain whether Henderson would seriously consider a move to the Saudi Pro League, despite the tempting financial offers from the Gulf nation. Notably, the England international previously voiced concerns about neighboring Qatar’s human rights record ahead of the World Cup, and Amnesty International has accused Saudi Arabia of similar human rights violations.
Despite his age, Henderson proved to be a vital asset for Liverpool last season, featuring in 41 matches across various competitions. Now, breaking his silence over his future, the tenacious midfielder appears determined to stay with the Reds. In a recent Instagram post, he shared images of his rigorous individual training session, accompanied by the caption: “Don’t dream of winning. Train for it!”
As Liverpool players prepare to return to the club for pre-season training, Henderson will join them slightly later due to his involvement in England’s Euro 2024 qualifying matches against Malta and North Macedonia in June. However, he is expected to be an integral part of the squad traveling to the Black Forest for friendly matches against Bundesliga 2 clubs Karlsruher SC and Greuther Furth, commencing on July 19.
The coming weeks will undoubtedly bring further twists and turns to the ongoing saga surrounding Jordan Henderson’s future, as Liverpool fans eagerly await his final decision amidst the speculation of a potential move to the Saudi Pro League.