Al-Ettifaq issue apology to Liverpool fans after signing Jordan Henderson
Al-Ettifaq have issued a joke apology to Liverpool fans after associating Jordan Henderson with their Merseyside rivals Everton.
The midfielder called time on his lengthy spell at Anfield to take up a lucrative offer in Saudi Arabia, which provoked an angry reaction. Al-Ettifaq paid £12m to land Henderson's services after he became a key target for new manager and former Red Steven Gerrard.
Henderson has been handed the No 10 shirt at his new club and they've posted his new shirt on social media alongside their shortened initials E.F.C - which they share with Liverpool's neighbours Everton - and have made light of the connection.
Their post said: "Sorry to all the @LFC fans for putting E.F.C on Hendo’s [Henderson] back. At least it’s not blue. Better get that number 10 kit before it runs out." The club's new arrival made his debut in a 1-0 pre-season win over Abu Dhabi side, Al Jazira, at the weekend.
Henderson is one of several players to swap Anfield for the Saudi Pro League. Fabinho has moved to Al-Ittihad for a hefty fee, ending his five-year spell at Liverpool. Roberto Firmino, who was released at the end of last season, has opted to take up a lucrative offer with Al-Alhi.
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The former Liverpool man, who captained the team to Premier League and Champions League success, posted an emotional farewell message to the club's fans. Henderson said: "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."
Henderson's switch though has seen major backlash, especially from the LGBT community, who had considered the Englishman an ally. The 33-year-old had spoken out in support of the group but has opted to take a huge pay day in a country that considers homosexuality to be illegal.
A Liverpool LGBT group issued a damning statement as they said: "Kop Outs have valued the allyship shown by Jordan Henderson,' the group wrote. 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?"
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