Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson insists he cannot wait to get started on a new challenge after completing a controversial move to Saudi Arabian side Al-Ettifaq.
The 33-year-old brought to an end a 12-year stay at Anfield in which he won every major trophy by finalising a three-year deal with reported wages of up to £700,000 a week.
Henderson, who posted a farewell message to Reds fans on Wednesday, took to Instagram again after his signing was confirmed.
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“Delighted to announce I’ve signed for @ettifaq. New challenge ahead, can’t wait to get going. Welcome to Saudi Arabia,” he wrote.
Liverpool are due to receive an initial £12million for the England international, who will be reunited with his former team-mate Steven Gerrard who is manager at the Saudi Pro League club.
“There is no doubt that Henderson is a distinguished addition,” said Al-Ettifaq vice-president Professor Hatem Al-Mishal.
“We completed the deal after the recommendation of sports director Elko Chatori and the technical staff led by English coach Steven Gerrard, who accompanied him as a player and knows his capabilities.”
Henderson was seen training with his new team-mates at a camp in Croatia in a fan video posted on social media, which will have caused Liverpool some embarrassment even though it was hastily deleted.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp paid tribute to his departing captain.
“I know it was a really, really tough decision for Hendo and I was around or with him all the way,” he told the club’s website.
“It’s sad, absolutely strange, because he is the only captain I had here at Liverpool, but I think it is exciting for him as well.
“We will miss him, without a shadow of a doubt, that’s clear – as a man and as a player. But, as I said, that’s football.”
However, Henderson’s move had attracted criticism due to his long-time support of LGBT+ issues and the Premier League’s Rainbow Laces campaign.
Homosexuality is illegal and punishable by death in Saudi Arabia, while the state stands accused of a host of other abuses including placing harsh restrictions on women’s rights and the right to political protest.
Al-Ettifaq’s video montage to announce Henderson’s arrival mixes colour and black and white footage but in the majority of the images the captain’s armband he is wearing – including both the LGBT+ rainbow and UEFA’s No to Racism – is greyed out.
“Jordan Henderson is of course free to play for whoever he chooses, but we would urge him to examine Saudi Arabia’s human rights record and be prepared to speak out about human rights violations in the country,” Amnesty’s UK economic affairs director Peter Frankental told the PA news agency last week.
Pride in Football, a network of LGBT+ fan groups, said in a statement: “When you see someone who has been an ally so publicly transfer to a club in a country where LGBT+ people are attacked and imprisoned, it is disappointing.
“Good luck in Saudi Arabia Jordan, but you have lost the respect of so many people who valued you and trusted you.”
Henderson joins a growing list of players moving to Saudi Arabia.
However, one player who will not be heading to the Middle East is Paris St Germain’s Kylian Mbappe, who reportedly refused to meet Al-Hilal officials in Paris on Wednesday after his club accepted what would be a world-record transfer fee of £259million.
PSG believe Mbappe, who has 12 months left on his contract, has already agreed a free transfer to Real Madrid but their willingness to listen to offers for the 24-year-old has led to speculation linking him to the Premier League.
However, the financial implications of such a move would be beyond almost all the clubs in the top flight.
Montego Bay United relinquish JPL lead after crushing defeat to Mount Pleasant
Montego Bay United’s reign at the top of the Jamaica Premier League (JPL) standings came to an abrupt end on Sunday after a decisive 3-0 loss to Mount Pleasant in the North Coast Derby at Drax Hall. The result allowed Waterhouse to claim the top spot on the table despite playing to a 0-0 draw with Portmore United at Ferdie Neita Park.
Mount Pleasant delivered a commanding performance, with coach Theodore "Tappa" Whitmore lauding his team’s defensive solidity and disciplined play.
"I thought it was an excellent performance, a collective effort from the unit. I think defensively we were solid, we didn't concede," said Whitmore. "For the past couple of games we have been missing penalties, but we happened to put one away today. Coach Ferguson said in our team meeting that we are getting a penalty today, and we did get it."
Despite challenging conditions due to a wet playing surface, Mount Pleasant maintained their style of play throughout the match.
"That's what we want to do, we want to keep our standard. I think we controlled the game for the most part, we didn't give the opponent any look-in. I think that augured well for us," Whitmore added.
The loss was a major blow to Montego Bay United, who now sit in third place with 20 points, level with Portmore United but behind on goal difference.
Waterhouse climbed to 21 points, one ahead of both Montego Bay United and Portmore United, after their goalless draw with Portmore. Both teams had chances in a tightly contested affair, but neither could find the breakthrough.
Portmore missed a golden opportunity five minutes into the second half when Junior Grizzle failed to convert. Waterhouse improved as the game progressed, but Shacquwell Henry came closest to securing a winner for Portmore, glancing a header wide from six yards out with 10 minutes remaining.
Elsewhere, Tivoli Gardens produced a scintillating display to crush Harbour View 6-0, marking one of the most emphatic results of the season. Meanwhile, Humble Lion and Dunbeholden played out a 0-0 stalemate.
'I'm probably more out than in' - Salah yet to be offered Liverpool extension
Mohamed Salah says he is "probably more out than in" at Liverpool as he is yet to receive an offer to extend his contract.
The Egyptian is Liverpool's top scorer this season, having netted 12 goals in all competitions, but is in the final months of his current deal, which runs out at the end of the campaign.
Salah became the first player to score in five successive Premier League appearances for the Reds with his two goals in the 3-2 win over Southampton on Sunday, since the Egyptian himself in October 2021 (seven in a row).
His second goal in that match was also his 100th away from Anfield for Liverpool in all competitions.
Salah, who has scored 223 goals since joining from Roma in 2017, admitted he was disappointed with the current contract situation.
"We are almost in December, and I haven't received any offers yet to stay in the club," he said. "I'm probably more out than in.
"I'm not going to retire soon, so I'm just playing, focusing on the season, and I'm trying to win the Premier League and hopefully the Champions League as well. I'm disappointed, but we will see."
Only Manchester City striker Erling Haaland (12) has bettered Salah's tally of 10 goals this term.
Salah is one of three high-profile Liverpool players in the final year of their contracts, with Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold also approaching the end of their deals.
"You know I have been in the club for many years. There is no club like this," Salah added.
"But in the end, it is not in my hands. As I said before, it is December, and I haven't received anything yet about my future.
"I love the fans. The fans love me. In the end, it is not in my hands or the fans' hands. Let's wait and see."
Mbappe getting 'up to speed' with Real Madrid team-mates
Kylian Mbappe believes he is finally getting up to speed with his Real Madrid team-mates after scoring in a 3-0 LaLiga win at Leganes on Sunday.
Mbappe, who had played in a central attacking role since joining from Paris Saint-Germain, went four games without scoring in all competitions before netting the opener against Leganes.
The 25-year-old has come under scrutiny since his move, despite scoring eight goals in his opening 16 matches in all competitions, as he has not hit the free-scoring heights he showed while at PSG.
He scored his seventh league goal of the campaign after being moved back to his preferred position on the left, with Carlo Ancelotti saying after the game he was satisfied with the tactical shift.
Mbappe combined well with fellow attacker Vinicius Junior, who usually operates down that flank, as the Brazilian set up the goal.
"Vinicius and I read each other very well. I've got a great relationship with him, and he's a great player," Mbappe told Real Madrid TV after the win.
"I think I put in a good performance. I'm starting to get up to speed with my team-mates. I can play in every position, and I'm ready to help the team and give my all.
"It's the story of my career. I play on the right, on the left, in the middle and with two up top. It doesn't matter to me. I want to help the team and score goals."
Madrid are second in the league, four points behind Barcelona, who have played one game more. The leaders drew 2-2 at Celta Vigo on Saturday.
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