From Anfield to Al Ettifaq: Henderson Reveals Motives for Leaving Liverpool
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According to Jordan Henderson, one of the main factors that pushed him to leave Liverpool and join Al Ettifaq was the possibility to collaborate with Steven Gerrard.
In the summer, Henderson, who had been a Liverpool player for 12 years, parted ways with the club, moving for £12 million to Saudi Pro League outfit Al Ettifaq after being identified as a priority signing by the team’s new boss Gerrard.
Jordan Henderson is considering leaving Liverpool for Saudi Arabia.#TelegraphFootball | #LFC
— Telegraph Football (@TeleFootball) July 12, 2023
During the course of his multi-year contract with Al Ettifaq, the 33-year-old is expected to make a staggering £700,000 per week to play for the Saudi club – nearly £500,000 more than he was making at Liverpool.
This week, Henderson spoke with Beanyman Sports on his choice to quit Premier League powerhouse Liverpool and his reasons for making the surprising move to Al Ettifaq.
“It’s exciting times, the project and something different is definitely a reason why I wanted to come here,” he stated. “Over the next few years, I’m sure it’ll grow and I want to be part of that. I love football so I want to try and go all over the world and I know the people in Saudi love football.
“Hopefully, we can keep continuing to grow the league over the next few years and I can be a big part of that.
“Stevie [Gerrard] was a big reason why I came, to work with him and play under him.”
Due to the country’s anti-homosexuality policies, Henderson’s relocation to Saudi Arabia has drawn criticism. The midfielder wore rainbow laces as England advanced to the Euro 2020 final and has a history of being a very outspoken supporter of the LBGTQ+ community.
Henderson is currently playing football in the Middle East, but Rainbow Laces just issued a statement urging him to keep working to make the sport more inclusive.
“We can’t deny the reality of lives for the LGBTQ+ community in Saudi Arabia, and we hope that Henderson continues his work to build towards a world where sport is everybody’s game,” the organization said.
