One way or another, Jordan Henderson’s future at Liverpool could be settled this weekend.
The Reds will fly to Germany on Saturday for pre-season training camp and are planning a trip with their captain in the ranks, like everything.
However, interest from Saudi Arabia remains, and while Liverpool have yet to receive any formal approach from Saudi Pro League clubs, it will be interesting to see if there is any incentive. any from Henderson or not. At 33, the Reds captain may feel it’s time for a new stop after 12 years with Merseyside. Alternatively, the captain may believe he is best served staying to deal with a disappointing campaign last time.
Here, ECHO writers have their say on what Henderson should do – and the implications of an abrupt and shocking end to Liverpool’s legendary career.
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‘Controversial move will be difficult to explain based on campaign history’
Paul Gorst: It’s been two years since Jordan Henderson’s future has been the subject of any real debate. Having seen a slew of his colleagues sign new terms in the summer of 2021, the Reds captain remains without a new contract of his own as rumors of interest from Atletico Madrid and Paris Saint rise – Germain.
In the end, the contract was signed, this was attributed to Jurgen Klopp’s personal interference as well as anything else, as the captain signed new terms which he now has 12 years to play for. play for Liverpool.
The interest from Saudi Arabia isn’t entirely shocking given that the Middle Eastern nation has gone to great lengths to elevate the status of their premier league in recent months. Already attracting one of the most famous players on the planet Cristiano Ronaldo and reigning Ballon d’Or Karim Benzema, Liverpool’s captaincy will only add another feather to their collective squad.
However, the real question is why would Henderson make such a move? While the competition for a place in midfield could be fiercest since his move from Sunderland in 2011, following the arrivals of Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister – especially when he He’s now 33 years old – a move to the Saudi Pro League would undo a lot of the good work Henderson has done off the pitch, especially the Rainbow Laces campaign for which he was a voice ambassador. As opposed to that, moving to a country where same-sex relationships are still illegal would be difficult to deal with, however you drew it.
And that’s before you join the club’s scheme. Surely they wouldn’t want to lose another major leader of the team that has won every top tier title it has won over the past few years? Henderson’s next move will be intriguing but he should certainly stay, fight for his place and lead Liverpool back to the Champions League.
‘Moving to Saudi Arabia is more trouble than it’s worth’
Ian Doyle: Jordan Henderson may have lifted every major honor as Liverpool captain, but there is one opponent that will be forever undefeated – time. And there is no doubt that the midfielder, now 34, is much closer to the end of a stellar career at Anfield than he began.
Henderson has always shown himself willing to sacrifice his place in the engine room but this season promises to be his biggest fight yet, with the arrivals of Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai, the influence growing. of young players Curtis Jones, Harvey Elliott and Stefan Bajcetic, and the debate over where Trent Alexander-Arnold will play.
He won’t give up and has every right to believe he has a part to play. After all, James Milner is still starting games for Liverpool after his 37th birthday. And that there is strong interest from Saudi Pro League pockets suggests he is far from bankrupt.
But it’s interesting that Henderson hasn’t publicly ruled out a move. Did he really turn around? Or is he using the situation as a reminder of why he believes he still has such a huge influence in Jurgen Klopp’s squad?
Despite the lure of a hefty salary and the possibility of playing for his former team-mate Steven Gerrard, it will be curious if the England international is actually interested in the move given the backing. His approach to the Rainbow Laces initiative and the campaign’s history would, for obvious reasons, put him at odds with taking the coin of a country where same-sex relationships are illegal. legal.
Henderson will leave Liverpool at some point. But it shouldn’t be now, let alone a potentially more troublesome transfer than it should be.
‘Now is not the time to leave and Saudi Arabia is certainly not the place’
As required: Jordan Henderson was surprised when given that the 2022 World Cup could be his last. «Fantastic! You throw it out there, don’t you?» he laughed incredulously in an interview with ITV Sport. what I can’t!»
While the 2026 World Cup may be out of hand for Henderson, Euro 2024 at the end of the upcoming season is not. As appeared in his answer last winter, he is not yet at the stage in his career when he should entertain with the possibility of leaving center stage.
Given he will gradually consolidate into a rotation pick, with summer signings Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai likely to reduce his starting chances this season, you won’t be reluctant give Henderson a move if he wants to seek a final payday in the sun.
But now is not the time to look for a transfer, while Saudi Arabia is certainly not the place. A leading voice and role model in European football, he has spoken out time and time again when there is a problem. As a result, switching to the controversial Gulf State is neither appropriate nor advisable. He’s one of the last players you’d expect to embrace millions of Saudis, given the shady background that comes with it.
After all, he has won all he can to win with Liverpool, leading them to glory in every major tournament, so there is nothing left to prove. But his leg is not done yet. He still has a lot to achieve with the Reds, starting with leading them back to the Champions League.
With his contract set to expire in 2025, by all means reassess his future in 12 months when his place in Klopp’s new midfield is clear. At least, if you leave after that, leave Liverpool in good form. But not now, not like this.
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