He’s gone. Well, he’s not dead – although he’s already dead to some people. Jordan Henderson has made the decision to accept the call from Saudi Arabia and confirm his transfer from Liverpool to Al-Ettifaq. The outgoing Red played for the Merseyside club for over a decade, but has announced his departure in an emotional message to the fans.Call it controversial, mindless and disappointing, but from a professional standpoint – it makes perfect sense. Henderson has won everything with Liverpool, he played for the English giants for 12 years, lifted trophies and became a legend among the fans. But at 33, the end of his career is coming – so why not try something new? Especially if that new something pays more than well!This is how I will choose to remember Jordan Henderson .. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/K94Ah8UlKI— AWB (@sleepyhead1892) July 27, 2023 Over the past decade, there’s always been a section of Liverpool fans questioning Henderson’s quality despite all the results. But after Hendo announced he’s indeed leaving to join Saudi club Al-Ettifaq, the debates have started again – debates about loyalty, morality, money, the future of football and so on. However, Henderson’s job isn’t to make sense to anyone – but to play football and earn money doing so.You can’t all be Salah or Messi, but you can be Jordan Henderson and lift trophiesThe now-former Liverpool skipper will be reunited with former Reds teammate Steven Gerrard at the Saudi Professional League side and join the global craze which started with Cristiano Ronaldo’s move to Al-Nassr.The backlash of the British LGBT community is considerable. Henderson has been vocal in the support of gay rights in the country over the past years, he wore rainbow-coloured armbands and laces, and spoke publicly in support of Liverpool’s LGBT supporters’ group called Kop Outs. However, the decision to move to a country where being gay is illegal and in some cases considered a death-penalty offence, caused a big stir.What the Ettifaq!? Hendo sells out for a QUADRUPLE salary and betrays his LGBT fansThe attention must be on football, however. And in terms of football, everyone at Liverpool must be aware that Henderson is past his best. Despite his leadership qualities, Klopp will need more mobile players in his midfield. Henderson would eventually fade away and be discarded. Surely it’s better to just leave now when both Liverpool and the former Sunderland midfielder would benefit? Liverpool will have more space to field younger players and Heendo will get more playing time under Steven Gerrard. It’s worth noting both parties will benefit financially.The English international posted a long open letter on Instagram.”I’m not sure I have any words to sum up how I’m feeling right now – I’m in the dressing room for the last time so as you can imagine it’s very emotional. But, I need to somehow try and explain what these last 12 years have meant for me and my family.I can still remember that June night back in 2011 clearly, being dead excited but then becoming even more nervous as the move from Sunderland became a reality.It was hard leaving there – my hometown, my club – but when Liverpool come knocking, you don’t say no.Driving in through those old Melwood gates, meeting Damien Comolli, spinning feeling in my stomach, a little shy meeting Sir Kenny Dalglish, that all feels like yesterday. When I see that footage back I was just a kid – who would have imagined that night how the next 12 years would go?##NAJAVA_MECA_7390566##I can’t lie, there has been hard times. Really hard times. But, when I look back on my career with Liverpool, it will always be the good times that I remember.The good times – again, where do I start?Being made the captain of Liverpool Football Club was one of the greatest honours of my life. From the day the armband was passed to me I did everything I could to behave like a Liverpool captain should. But, the biggest honours at Liverpool weren’t personal ones, they were collective ones. All of us, all of you, together.Starting in Madrid with number six, the most perfect night. Probably my favourite night, actually. You’ve seen it I’m sure, the emotion – it was impossible not to be emotional. Then when we came home there were no words for that experience. You were everywhere – literally everywhere. On trees, windows, on roofs, on cars, up lamp posts and even on scaffolding.Jordan Henderson. A Liverpool legend. Thank you for everything you’ve done for Liverpool FC. pic.twitter.com/xVqeJ2vxSI— DaveOCKOP (@DaveOCKOP) July 26, 2023 From the bottom of my heart, thank you for giving us that welcome. Not just once, but to do it again even after we lost the Champions League Final says everything about the club and its supporters. They are the best in the world – there can be no doubt, there is no doubt.Then bringing number 19 home, we knew as players what ending that wait meant to you. We knew how important it was to make Liverpool champions again.That leads me onto Anfield – the most special place in the world to play football, how could anyone think different?I’m sad I won’t have the chance to play at a bigger Anfield, but I know what impact it’ll have on the opponents.”Henderson finally ended his short but sweet note to the supporters of the club with a series of thank yous.”I guess the thing I want to say most of all to you is simply thank you. Thank you for allowing me to have been part of your club. Thank you for your support through good times and bad. Thank you for all the sacrifices and commitments made, and will continue to make to follow us all over the world. Just know I will always be a Red until the day I die. Thank you for everything, You’ll Never Walk Alone. Jordan.”The Saudis have got another star of European football – and they don’t intend to stop. Meanwhile, Liverpool have lost a player – but they haven’t lost a legend.
