The England midfielder is understood to be a target for the team now managed by Steven Gerrard.
Liverpool’s LGBGT+ Kop Outs fan group are ‘horrified and concerned’ club captain Jordan Henderson is considering a move to Saudi Arabian side Al Ettifaq.
The England midfielder is believed to be a target for the side now managed by Steven Gerrard, the man Henderson took over from at Anfield, and reports suggest the 33-year-old is close to accepting an enticing £700,000-plus-a-week offer.
Henderson has been a prominent supporter of both the group and LGBGT+ issues – he is an ambassador for Rainbow Laces – so suggestions that he is ready to move to Saudi Arabia, whose human rights record has long been criticized, prompted an angry reaction from the Kop Outs. .
“Kop Outs appreciate the alliance shown by @Jhenderson,” said a statement on Twitter.
“We are appalled and concerned that anyone would consider working for a #sportswashing operation for a regime that oppresses women and LGBT+ people and regularly tops the world death penalty charts?”
“Gerrard’s involvement in this sporting fabrication is particularly galling given his previous support for LA Galaxy teammate Robbie Rogers (who came out as gay in 2013).
“When a man has made a fortune, should money tempt him to go to work? Perhaps they should ask themselves these questions.
“We hope that Jordan Henderson will prove that he keeps his word and remains true to the values of our club, which he has so far been the absolute embodiment of.”
It is understood Liverpool have yet to receive an approach from Al Ettifaq and the player still has two years left on his contract, which in itself means any potential move would involve a higher transfer fee than the nominal fee being proposed in the Middle East. .
Liverpool’s midfield is undergoing a reshuffle this summer as the experienced James Milner leaves for Brighton and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita’s contracts expire, replaced by Argentina’s World Cup winner Alexis Mac Allister and Hungary captain Dominik Szobozslai for a combined £. 95 million.
This may mean a reduction in game time for Henderson, who has lifted every elite trophy during his captaincy at the club, but there is no appetite at the club to lose such an experienced player and an integral part of the dressing room.
Former team-mate Jamie Carragher said that if Henderson accepts the deal, he must also accept the criticism that will inevitably come his way.
“Money is hard to turn down and that’s why virtually no one has it, great servant and Liverpool player,” the former defender-turned-pundit tweeted when asked about Henderson.
“I’m not a player in my prime, but again a big statement for the Liverpool captain to get into the Saudi league.”
“He will get criticism because he has received a lot of praise for his stance on LGBT+ in the past.”