Liverpool legend claims Jordan Henderson will 'damage his legacy' with Saudi Pro League transfer

Liverpool legend Graeme Souness says Jordan Henderson could ruin his legacy if he leaves the club for Saudi Arabia.

Henderson, 33, is in talks to join Saudi Pro League club Al Etiffaq, who are now managed by former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard.

Fabrizio Romano claims Liverpool have reached an 'agreement in principle' to sell Henderson.

The England international has already verbally agreed to a three-year deal with the Saudi club, which would quadruple his salary to a massive £700,000 per week.

Henderson was not included in Liverpool's squad for their 4-2 win over German side Karlsruher on Wednesday - their opening pre-season friendly.

It now looks likely he will leave Liverpool this summer, bringing the curtain down on a hugely successful 12-year spell at Anfield.

Henderson has won every major trophy with Liverpool, including both the Champions League and Premier League, scoring 33 goals in 492 games for the Merseyside club.

But former Liverpool captain Souness believes he could ruin his reputation with Reds fans if he moves to Saudi Arabia.

Henderson has faced a barrage of criticism from LGBTQ+ groups over the potential move.

The midfielder previously spoken up for LGBTQ+ rights, but now looks set to live and play in a country where homosexuality is illegal.

"I think with him [Henderson], as an ally of the LGBTQ+ community and a supporter of Rainbow Laces – and then he ends up going to Saudi, I think without a doubt that will damage his legacy," Souness told Sky Bet.

Souness attended Brighton Pride in 2019, describing it as a 'learning curve' for himself while admitting that football is 'extremely homophobic'.

"I have been in the game for 50 years. Football clubs can be quite homophobic, both in the dressing room and in the stands. I want to show I'm an ally," Souness told the Daily Mail.

"I am at an age where I’ve got an opinion on most things and I like to think I can be an ally.

"This is a learning curve for me today as much as anything. But when you look at the strides made by the LGBT community in the last 20 years and then you look at football where I don’t think it has moved a step forward since the late 60s when I started.

"I think professional football is still an extremely homophobic business to be in and that has to change. It's 2019. In the last 20-odd years this community has made great strides forward."