Stevie Nicol thinks Jordan Henderson will be feeling ‘bad’ about possibly leaving Liverpool this summer as a possible transfer to Saudi Arabia is on the cards.
After finishing in the Europa League places last season, Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool supporters knew changes were needed to be made to the team this summer and especially to the midfield.
But not many probably envisaged that there could possibly be such sweeping changes, planned or unplanned, because, on top of the now-departed Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and James Milner, the experienced duo of Jordan Henderson and Fabinho could also leave this summer.
Anfield legend Nicol thinks Henderson will be ‘tossing and turning’ and questioning if he is ‘letting everybody down’ by leaving the Merseyside club, as he told ESPN.
It has been suggested that Saudi Arabia Pro League side, Al Ettifaq, want Henderson on board, with the £190k-a-week star (Spotrac) being offered a mouthwatering £700k-a-week to make a move to the Middle East.
Most people, if not all, would accept such offers, but Nicol thinks Henderson’s character is different and his end decision might not be straightforward.
“If this is up to Jordan Henderson, then a 33-year-old, being offered the kind of money that they are offering, then absolutely you would go,” said Nicol.
“It is a big blow (to lose him). We are talking about somebody who was, not only key on the field, but key off the field as well. So, for Liverpool, it’s a dilemma.
“I don’t know this guy personally, but from everything I have been told about him, he is probably going to feel as bad for Liverpool as Liverpool would if he decided that he wanted to go.
“As much as I think, at 33, you take the money. 100%. I think he will be tossing and turning thinking ‘Am I letting Liverpool down? Am I letting everybody down?’ Because I think this is the way this guy is. I don’t think he is your normal footballer. He’s kind of an old school in a new era. You feel the loyalty.”
Henderson’s England career
One thing is for sure, if the 33-year-old does leave Liverpool and decides to take up the Saudi offer, then his career as an England player is over.
Gareth Southgate will, more than likely, opt against selecting him for Euro 2024. But if he stays, then there is every chance he gets that ticket to Germany.
Whilst Henderson isn’t a starter, he is still an important member of the squad, so after being part of the team that got knocked out by France at the 2022 Qatar World Cup, you would think Southgate would select the Liverpool captain again if he stays in England.
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