Topics: Liverpool, Saudi Pro League, Jordan Henderson, England, Transfers, Saudi Arabia
Jordan Henderson became one among many players when he swapped the top leagues of Europe for a move to Saudi Arabia this summer.
The 33-year-old left Liverpool after more than a decade at Anfield to head to the Saudi Pro League and play under former Reds teammate and captain Steven Gerrard at Al-Ettifaq.
Liverpool received a £12 million fee for Henderson, who departed the Merseyside club after 33 goals in nearly 500 games for the Reds in 12 years.
In that time, Henderson won the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, two League Cups, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup.
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However, Henderson has come under fire in particular for his move to Saudi Arabia, particularly over the Middle Eastern nation's views on homosexuality, which is viewed as a crime there and can even result in the death penalty.
It follows Henderson displaying his support for the LGBTQ+ community while he was at Anfield, and the complete bipolar opposite view which is held in Saudi Arabia on this subject.
Henderson continues to be selected for the England squad by Gareth Southgate, and collected his 78th cap for the Three Lions in the 1-1 Euro 2024 qualifying draw against Ukraine.
But by no longer playing in the Premier League or the top divisions in Europe, the question is for how long Southgate will view Henderson as among his plans and especially a regular starter for England.
And Joe Cole, who played for Liverpool between 2010 and 2013 and was Henderson's teammate at one point, believes that the midfielder has put his future England career "in jeopardy" following the switch to Saudi Arabia.
Speaking on Channel 4 as a pundit, Cole said: "From a footballing perspective, I can understand why it puts Gareth in a difficult position.
"When you’re competing with the players Henderson is competing with – Rice, Bellingham, Ward-Prowse, Phillips – they are all playing in the Champions League [and Europa League].
"Is he going to be as sharp as he was? You have to remember the margins that England went out with against France at the last World Cup.
"You have to be so sharp, every player on the pitch. Henderson will know he’s put his England future in jeopardy."
