Three takeaways from Jordan Henderson's attempt to defend Saudi Arabia move

Jordan Henderson has spoken out for the first time since his controversial move to Saudi Arabian club Al-Ettifaq.

The former Liverpool captain left Anfield after 12 years of service this summer, becoming one of the clutch of household names to leave European football behind for the riches of the Saudi Pro League.

The 33-year-old reportedly signed a deal reportedly worth £700,000-a-week with the side managed by Steven Gerrard. His move sparked widespread condemnation having been a proud LGBTQ+ ally and powerful voice for inclusion in football during his time as Liverpool skipper.

Henderson, back in England this week after being named in Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions squad ahead of games against Ukraine and Scotland, spoke at length about the move in an interview with The Athletic.

Among the topics discussed, he responded to criticism he has faced from LGBTQ+ groups, denied accusations his move was motivated by money and explained how he ‘did not feel wanted’ on Merseyside.

‘It’s not about the money’

Saudi Pro League sides have been prepared to shatter football’s already warped wage structure this summer. A reported £700,000-per-week deal will have seen Henderson quadruple the salary he was on at Liverpool.

But the former Sunderland star insisted the topic of money never came up when discussing the move with Liverpool legend Gerrard, who was appointed Al-Ettifaq head coach in July.

Instead, Henderson insists he was sold on the project and the chance to experience a new league and culture in the final years of his career.

‘I think people know what my views and values were before I left and still do now,’ he said. ‘And I think having someone with those views and values in Saudi Arabia is only a positive thing.’

Asked about that £700,000 number, he said: ‘No. I wish it was [true]. Honestly, the numbers just aren’t true. But again, it had to work out for us financially as well. I’m not saying that it didn’t and I’m not saying, “Oh, I’m not on good money” because it’s good money and it was a good deal but it wasn’t the numbers that were reported. No.

‘Stevie never mentioned money. Everything I spoke to Stevie about was football and the project. And he actually said he didn’t want to get involved in any of the money stuff. It was all about what we could do together to achieve something special and build a club and build the league.’

He continued: ‘People can believe me or not, but in my life and my career, money has never been a motivation. Ever. Don’t get me wrong, when you move, the business deal has to be tight. You have to have financials, you have to feel wanted, you have to feel valued. And money is a part of that. But that wasn’t the sole reason. And these possibilities came up before money was even mentioned.’

Response to LGBTQ+ criticism: ‘I’m sorry they feel like that’

Henderson’s official unveiling by Al-Ettifaq prompted criticism in itself with a video montage of his career released by the club appearing to edit the rainbow captain’s armband he wore as Liverpool skipper, rendering it black and white.

Throughout his career, Henderson has been a vocal supporter of the LGBTQ+ community with his switch to Saudi Arabia, where homosexuality is illegal and punishable by death, slammed by various groups in football and beyond.

In response, Henderson told the Athletic: ‘I can understand the frustration. I can understand the anger. I get it. All I can say around that is that I’m sorry that they feel like that.

‘My intention was never, ever to hurt anyone. My intention has always been to help causes and communities where I felt like they have asked for my help.

‘Now, when I was making the decision, the way that I tried to look at it was I felt as though, by myself not going, we can all bury our heads in the sand and criticise different cultures and different countries from afar. But then nothing’s going to happen. Nothing’s going to change.’

Henderson played a key role in leading Stonewall’s Rainbow Laces initiative in the Premier League but suggested he would not repeat such gestures in Saudi.

‘I wouldn’t rule that out. But at the same time, what I wouldn’t do is disrespect the religion and culture in Saudi Arabia. If we’re all saying everybody can be who they want to be and everybody is inclusive, then we’ll have to respect that.

‘We’ll have to respect everyone. And by doing something like that, if that did disrespect the religion, then no, I’m not going to do that. But if the opportunity comes where I can do it and it doesn’t, then yeah, because that’s my values.’

‘I did not feel wanted by Liverpool’

Henderson, who captained the club to Champions League and Premier League success under Jurgen Klopp, started 28 matches for Liverpool last season. A disappointing fifth place finish led to a major shakeup in midfield with Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister, Wataru Endo and Ryan Gravenerch all enlisted during the summer transfer window.

Discussing his Anfield exit, Henderson said ‘if one person at Liverpool asked me to stay, I would have’, insisting the club did little to convince him to remain on Merseyside.

‘There were a few things that sent alarm bells ringing. I’ve got a very good relationship with Jurgen. He was very honest with me.

‘I won’t go into detail about the conversation because it’s private, but it put me in a position where I knew that I wasn’t going to be playing as much. I knew there were going to be new players coming in my position.

‘And if I’m not playing, as anybody will know, especially the manager, that can be quite difficult for me and especially when I’ve been at a club for so long, I’ve captained the team for so long. Especially when England’s a big thing for me.

‘You’ve got the Euros coming up. And then there was an approach from Al-Ettifaq to the club to see if it would be possible for me to go there. The reaction from the club again wasn’t to say no.

‘At that moment I felt as though my value or the want for me to stay, with the manager and within the club, maybe it had shifted.

‘I knew that time would come at some point. I didn’t think it would be now. And I had to accept that.’

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