Jordan Henderson has shown regret in signing for Steven Gerrard’s Al-Ettifaq and is now seeking a move away from the Saudi Pro League but Jurgen Klopp isn’t interested in taking the former Liverpool skipper back.
Why does Henderson want to leave?
It’s been six months since Henderson left Merseyside which ended an incredible 12-year spell with Liverpool. Henderson joined Al-Ettifaq in 2023 at a time where Liverpool were going through a major squad rebuild after failing to secure Champions League football.
Henderson wants to leave Al-Ettifaq because he’s unhappy at the attendances of league games and he hasn’t adapted to the climate of the country. He misses his lifestyle back in England.
He also fears that Gareth Southgate won’t include him in the England Euro 2024 squad because of Al-Ettifaq’s poor league form.
What clubs are linked with Henderson?
No clubs have shown interest in Henderson but Al-Ettifaq do not want to sell Henderson but would be fine with letting him go on a short-term loan deal.
Henderson has been offered to Bayern Munich, Bayer Leverkusen and Juventus. A loan move would be difficult to pull off for some clubs because of how high Henderson’s wages are. If Henderson is willing to take a wage hit then perhaps a move could be on the cards. He currently is on 700k a week.
Henderson would also have to pay a tax bill of around £7million if he left within the first two years of his contract at Al-Ettiaq. Some of that money would go to Liverpool as they decided on a sell-on percentage.
Bit more on Jordan Henderson. Should a permanent offer be accepted, #LFC will take a sell-on percentage, and quite a healthy one I am told.
Ettifaq haven’t received any proposals to date, and will only entertain a loan or sale for what is being termed by sources as an… pic.twitter.com/YadV3jTLFl
— Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) January 6, 2024
Could Henderson return to Liverpool?
Henderson joined Al-Ettifaq in 2023 which sparked some major controversy due to his reasoning for leaving Liverpool. He felt the club didn’t want him anymore as no one asked him to stay amid the speculation of him leaving. This outraged fans as they thought it was clear that his move was for financial gain.
His move also upset members of the LGBTQ+ community after the 33-year-old had done so much charity work and had been a vocal leader and supporter. Laws surrounding homosexuality in Saudi Arabia are seen as alien in the modern day.
Klopp was asked whether a return to Anfield was possible for Henderson, he replied: “He hasn’t called me. We spoke actually but not about that but I really have nothing to say about that.”
Another ex-Liverpool player Roberto Firmino is also looking to get away from Saudi Arabia. Firmino was one of three Liverpool players who went to the Saudi Pro League in the summer.
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