Henderson given ‘no guarantees’ over ‘frozen out’ fears during ‘talks’ with England boss Southgate
Al-Ettifaq-bound Jordan Henderson has reportedly ‘held talks’ with England manager Gareth Southgate amid fears he could lose his place in the national team.
Liverpool captain Henderson is set to join the Saudi Arabian outfit in a mind-boggling deal.
He has agreed to leave Anfield to earn £700,000 a week in the middle east, where he will be reunited with former Reds teammate Steven Gerrard.
Gerrard got the job as Al-Ettifaq manager earlier this month and quickly decided he wanted Henderson as a statement signing.
Henderson will be the first England international to make the move to Saudi Arabia, though it is safe to assume this is not a sign of things to come given the fact he is 33 years of age and unlikely to be first-choice in Jurgen Klopp’s midfield this season.
Having made 77 appearances for the Three Lions, there has been talk of the transfer triggering the end of the midfielder’s international career.
OPINION: Over the rainbow? Will Jordan Henderson really sell his soul for Saudi Arabia gold?
Obviously, he will want to continue playing for his country, especially with Euro 2024 just around the corner, but it would be pretty understandable if Southgate does not want to include an aging star plying his trade in such an uncompetitive league, and one outside of Europe.
According to The Telegraph, Henderson has held crunch ‘talks’ with the England manager.
The report says Henderson has been given ‘no guarantees he will be picked’ going forward but Southgate did not flat out say ‘he will be automatically frozen out’.
The Liverpool skipper apparently ‘reiterated his desire to keep playing’ for England, despite his move to Saudi Arabia, which is not a footballing-based one.
Having ‘spoken personally’ with Southgate, it is noted that Henderson ‘appears to recognise’ he has given his international manager a ‘headache’.
Henderson, who has been a vocal supporter of LGBT+ issues, has already met his new teammates having joined the Al-Ettifaq squad in Croatia ahead of confirmation of his £12million move. The report adds that the paperwork for the move was completed on Wednesday afternoon.
The experienced midfielder leaves Liverpool having made 492 appearances for the Merseyside club.
He joined from Sunderland in 2011 and became captain in 2015, following Gerrard’s departure.
As skipper, the 33-year-old won the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup and Carabao Cup.
READ MORE: Jordan Henderson excused while Marco Silva the ‘mercenary’ as gammon hits the pan
