England midfielder, Jordan Henderson has left Liverpool to join Saudi Arabia’s Al Ettifaq for an undisclosed transfer fee.
Henderson is the latest Premier League star to seal a big-money move to an Saudi Arabian club after players like Ruben Neves and Edouard Mendy made the switch in recent weeks, as the latter pair joined Al Hilal.
Al Ettifaq have reportedly paid £12m plus add-ons to Liverpool, with Henderson signing a three-year contract until June 2026, as he reunites with his former teammate turned manager, Steven Gerrard.
Upon confirming his departure prior to Liverpool’s official announcement, Henderson shared a goodbye message on Instagram.
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Once his transfer was officially finalised, Liverpool issued the following tribute: ‘As his Anfield chapter now comes to a close with a move to Al-Ettifaq in Saudi Arabia, everybody at Liverpool Football Club wishes to place on record their thanks and gratitude for everything Jordan Henderson did for the club during his 12 years as a Red.’
Manager, Jurgen Klopp meanwhile described Henderson’s departure as “a really, really tough decision” for him and Henderson to make together, with Fabinho also set to leave in the coming days as Klopp revamps his midfield line-up.
Klopp proceeded to admit that he and the club need time to adjust to life without Henderson, as he added: “It’s sad, absolutely strange, because he is the only captain I had here at Liverpool, but I think it is exciting for him as well.
“We will miss him, without a shadow of a doubt, that’s clear – as a man and as a player.”
Summing up Henderson, Klopp described him as “a really good package,” as he explained: “There is the physical part, but there is the super-technical part. He is technically really, really good.
“Which sometimes players, because of the role they see themselves [in] on the pitch, this fighter and stuff like this, don’t always show.
“You cannot have this amount of Premier League games, you cannot be captain of Liverpool, you cannot play in the most important games in the world if you are technically not on a super-high level – and he is.
“Right foot, left foot really good. Tactically he improved the most since we are here, had to play different positions, did that really well. Even played centre-half for us. Had to play No.6, I thought he played a few outstanding games on six.”
The 33 year-old’s move also brings his 12-year stay at Anfield to an end – having joined from Sunderland in July 20211, during which he went on to score 39 goals and create 74 assists in 492 appearances as he helped Liverpool to eight titles in total, including;
- 2 x EFL Cup (2011-12, 21-22)
- 1 x Premier League (2019-20)
- 1 x FA Cup (2021-22)
- 1 x FA Community Shield (2022)
- 1 x Champions League (2018-19)
- 1 x UEFA Super Cup (2019)
- 1 x FIFA Club World Cup (2019)
Henderson also received a MBE during his time at Liverpool after he was named in the late Queen’s Birthday Honours List in 2021, for his services to football and charities especially during the Coronavirus pandemic.
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Upon confirmation of Henderson’s departure, several of his teammates led by Trent Alexander-Arnold took to social media to pay tribute to their now former teammate and captain.
Skipper, where do I start? The one constant factor in my career since my debut. My Liverpool and England journey we have been together since day 1. To have shared every dressing room with you is something ill always cherish. A constant inspiration to me and the perfect role model… pic.twitter.com/pgBk6Fn28Z
— Trent Alexander-Arnold (@TrentAA) July 27, 2023
Thank you for everything you’ve done for me, skip! @JHenderson
What a player but what a person you are also.
All the best in your next chapter, forever a Liverpool legend 🔴 pic.twitter.com/id2r9mrvHj
— Curtis Jones (@curtisjr_10) July 27, 2023
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