As the England midfielder looks set to move to Saudi Arabia’s Al-Ettifaq, on Wednesday, Jordan Henderson was notably absent when Liverpool thrashed Karlsruher 4-2 in a pre-season friendly.
Liverpool has reportedly agreed in principle to a £12 million ($15.5 million) deal for their Premier League and Champions League-winning captain.
Though the move would link Henderson to Liverpool great Steven Gerrard, who was recently appointed manager of the Saudi Pro League side.
Henderson’s possible contract, 33, is further evidence of the growing appeal of Saudi soccer, as the oil-rich kingdom targets key players from Europe’s top leagues.
Karim Benzema and N’Golo Kante are among the stars set to move there during the off-season, and Riyad Mahrez is also expected to move to Al-Ahly after Manchester City agreed a £30 million ($38.7 million) deal for his winger.
What to know more?
Henderson’s former Liverpool team-mate Roberto Firmino has joined Al-Ahli, while another Anfield player, Fabinho, has also been linked with a move to Saudi Arabia. Henderson won every major club honor while at the Merseyside club, including the Champions League in 2019 and the Premier League title a year later.
However, he still has two years left on his current contract, but manager Jurgen Klopp’s midfield overhaul this off-season could affect his chances of playing for the first team.
During the transfer window, before the new season, Liverpool signed Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister and is also expected to add another midfielder. Klopp’s midfield revamp comes after the club’s disappointing campaign last season saw it fall out of the Champions League for the first time in seven years and fail to lift the trophy. James Milner, Naby Keita, and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain have left, while Fabio Carvalho has joined Leipzig on a season-long loan.
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