Steven Gerrard explains why Al Ettifaq signed Jordan Henderson

Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard has explained why he asked Al Ettifaq to sign former teammate Jordan Henderson during the summer transfer window.

Henderson brought the curtain down on a successful 12-year stay at Anfield ahead of the 2023/24 season, joining Al Ettifaq in the Saudi Pro League for a £12m fee.

Prior to this move, Henderson was known as one of the LGBTQ+ community's strongest visible allies, but that bond has since broken down after heading to a country where homosexuality is outlawed and even punishable by death. In an interview with in September, Henderson tried to explain his stance was about showing respect for different cultures, religions and beliefs — a response that didn't wash back in the UK.

Speaking to Saudi Pro League channels, Gerrard insisted his decision to bring in Henderson was one based on their prior relationship at the heart of Liverpool's midfield in the early-to-mid 2010s.

«I think when you're the coach, the manager, you want players going into games that can be an extended version of the staff,» Gerrard said. «People, who can really help on-pitch coaching; where the team needs to be in terms of distances, to make on-field decisions.

“Myself and Jordan, we have that trust. We played together and he's a fantastic player still, a fantastic human being. For us, to execute that signing was key and very important and I think a lot of the other signings we made came on the back of Jordan agreeing to come here.

»I think he wanted to still play, I think that was the key. He was at Liverpool at the time, he's had a fantastic career, he's achieved everything at that club, he's been a fantastic servant to Liverpool Football Club.

«But I think in the previous months, maybe him not being a regular starter