Jordan Henderson insists he hasn't put his pay packet over morals

Jordan Henderson has launched a staunch defence of his controversial move to Saudi Arabia, claiming his Liverpool exit was not motivated by money.

The former Anfield captain, who has faced criticism since signing a reported £700,000-a-week deal with Al Ettifaq, said: 'People will see this club come with loads of money and (say) he's just gone, when in reality that just wasn't the case at all.

'People can believe me or not, but in my life and my career, money has never been a motivation.

'There were a few things that sent alarm bells ringing. I've got a very good relationship with Jurgen (Klopp). He was very honest with me.

'I won't go into detail about the conversation because it's private, but it put me in a position where I knew that I wasn't going to be playing as much.

'And if I'm not playing, as anybody will know, especially the manager, that can be quite difficult for me, especially when I've been at a club for so long. Especially when England's a big thing for me.

'I felt as though my value or the want for me to stay, with the manager and within the club, maybe it had shifted. I knew that time would come at some point. I didn't think it would be now. And I had to accept that.'

Henderson has previously been a vocal supporter for LGBTQ+ rights, so his move to a country where homosexuality is criminalised has been condemned by gay-rights groups.

But Henderson insisted he had not put money over morals by joining Al Ettifaq - managed by Steven Gerrard.

'I can understand the frustration, I can understand the anger,' Henderson told The Athletic. 'I get it. All I can say is that I'm sorry they feel like that. My intention was never, ever to hurt anyone. My intention has always been to help causes and communities where I felt