Jordan Henderson has come under fire from LGBTQ+ fan groups as he considers joining Steven Gerrard in Saudi Arabia.
The Liverpool captain is expected to accept a jaw-dropping offer from Al Ettifaq to reunite with Gerrard at the Saudi club.
4
4
And Kops Out, Liverpool’s official LGBTQ+ Fans Group, have released a statement condemning Henderson for possibly moving to the Gulf State.
“Kop Outs have valued the allyship shown by @JHenderson,” the group tweeted.
“We are appalled and concerned that anyone might consider working for a #sportswashing operation for a regime where women & LGBT+ people are oppressed & that regularly tops the world death sentence table?
“This regime was responsible for the assassination of a journalist, Jamal Khashoggi.
“It flogs people. This regime is set to break its promise on executing juveniles.
“Gerrard’s participation in this sportswashing is particularly galling given his previous support for LA Galaxy teammate Robbie Rogers.
“When someone’s made a fortune, should money tempt them to go to work? Maybe they should be asking themselves those questions.
“We hope that Jordan Henderson proves to be a man of his word and stays true to the values of our club, which so far he has been an absolute embodiment of.”
4
4
Henderson looks set to agree to a contract worth £700,000-a-week at Al Ettifaq while Liverpool are looking for a fee worth about £20million.
Gerrard is keen to reunite with the midfielder after taking the job as manager at the Saudi club.
The two worked together at Liverpool where Henderson took Gerrard’s armband as captain in 2015.
And the 33-year-old might not be the only Reds star on his way to Saudi Arabia.
Al Ittihad have made a £40m bid for Fabinho while Liverpool are yet to decide whether to cash in or not on the Brazilian.
Their main opposition would be the lack of suitable replacements, with the 29-year-old recognised as the club’s only senior No. 6.
Stefan Bajcetic has been earmarked as a potential long-term option but, at 18, is not expected to fit the bill just yet.
If Henderson and Fabinho leave, they would add to a midfield exodus at Anfield where Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Naby Keita and James Milner have already departed.
Ahead of the new campaign, the Reds have spent close to £100million to sign attacking midfielders Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai.
