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 Ā£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 Southgateās 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 ādid not feel wantedā on Merseyside.
āItās not about the moneyā
Saudi Pro League sides have been prepared to shatter footballās already warped wage structure this summer. A reported Ā£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.
āI think people know what my views and values were before I left and still do now,ā he said. āAnd I think having someone with those views and values in Saudi Arabia is only a positive thing.ā
Asked about that Ā£700,000 number, he said: āNo. I wish it was [true]. Honestly, the numbers just arenāt true. But again, it had to work out for us financially as well. Iām not saying that it didnāt and Iām not saying, āOh, Iām not on good moneyā because itās good money and it was a good deal but it wasnāt the numbers that were reported. No.
āStevie never mentioned money. Everything I spoke to Stevie about was football and the project. And he actually said he didnāt 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.ā
He continued: āPeople can believe me or not, but in my life and my career, money has never been a motivation. Ever. Donāt 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 wasnāt the sole reason. And these possibilities came up before money was even mentioned.ā
Response to LGBTQ+ criticism: āIām sorry they feel like thatā
Hendersonās 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 captainās 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: āI can understand the frustration. I can understand the anger. I get it. All I can say around that is that Iām sorry that they feel like that.
āMy 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.
āNow, 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 nothingās going to happen. Nothingās going to change.ā
Henderson played a key role in leading Stonewallās Rainbow Laces initiative in the Premier League but suggested he would not repeat such gestures in Saudi.
āI wouldnāt rule that out. But at the same time, what I wouldnāt do is disrespect the religion and culture in Saudi Arabia. If weāre all saying everybody can be who they want to be and everybody is inclusive, then weāll have to respect that.
āWeāll have to respect everyone. And by doing something like that, if that did disrespect the religion, then no, Iām not going to do that. But if the opportunity comes where I can do it and it doesnāt, then yeah, because thatās my values.ā
āI did not feel wanted by Liverpoolā
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 āif one person at Liverpool asked me to stay, I would haveā, insisting the club did little to convince him to remain on Merseyside.
āThere were a few things that sent alarm bells ringing. Iāve got a very good relationship with Jurgen. He was very honest with me.
āI wonāt go into detail about the conversation because itās private, but it put me in a position where I knew that I wasnāt going to be playing as much. I knew there were going to be new players coming in my position.
āAnd if Iām not playing, as anybody will know, especially the manager, that can be quite difficult for me and especially when Iāve been at a club for so long, Iāve captained the team for so long. Especially when Englandās a big thing for me.
āYouāve 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 wasnāt to say no.
āAt 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.
āI knew that time would come at some point. I didnāt think it would be now. And I had to accept that.ā
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