If Jordan Henderson decides to leave Liverpool for Al Ettifaq, Steven Gerrard has vowed to give him the opportunity to teach him how to be a coach.
Henderson appears prepared to transfer from Anfield to Saudi Arabia this summer, which was previously unimaginable. The Reds captain will join Al Ettifaq of Dammam, following the man he replaced in that position.
And according to Melissa Reddy of Sky Sports, Gerrard’s influence was very essential in persuading Henderson to leave Liverpool after 12 years.
The reunion with Steven Gerrard, according to Reddy, will be the attraction. “Who would have appealed to Henderson’s ambition and desire to play frequently by saying, “Come over here, build something wonderful with me, help me accomplish the heights I want to achieve, and help me recover my coaching career.
‘You’d be a player, but you’d progressively learn to coach and manage alongside me,’ Gerrard allegedly said, according to the report. Gerrard will also have discussed with him all the commotion surrounding the probable transfer that he would have anticipated. Things like how to put a stop to it, how he can still uphold his legacy, and how people forget things quickly come to mind.
Given how much Henderson has been affected and motivated by Gerrard, it should come as no surprise that Gerrard has been able to convince Henderson to agree to this transfer.
Henderson is stolen by Gerrard from Liverpool
It will have been disappointing enough to see Gerrard accept the position at Al Ettifaq for a generation of Liverpool supporters. Prior to this move, he was regarded as Jurgen Klopp’s successor at Anfield, but it seems like a lifetime ago today.
However, the fact that he later persuaded the current Reds captain to accompany him there just serves to intensify that sense of betrayal.
Of course, some people will not care. Henderson has occasionally caused conflict among the fan base and has apparently already been warned to expect reduced playing time next season. Gerrard has also been away from Liverpool for a number of years, and his choices have nothing to do with the team.
But for many, this will be incredibly uncomfortable. The skipper is practically skulking away after contributing significantly to Liverpool’s worst season in a while. He’s opting to leave the ship and sneak out the rear door rather than sticking around and battling for his position.
It appears as though Stevie’s plans to restart his coaching career could have gone fatally wrong. Henderson is free to fly his flag from that pole if he chooses. All the best to him. I wish them both luck.
But once the first shock and disappointment pass, Liverpool supporters will undoubtedly resume their well-wishes for the couple. Gerrard and Henderson will forever be remembered at Anfield no matter what they do with their careers from this point forward.
We can see why Stevie would want his old friend to assist him in acclimating to a new nation and culture. It’s more difficult to comprehend why Henderson would choose all of that over serving as captain at Anfield.
