Liverpool stance revealed as Henderson tells club he wants to go

By Wayne Veysey

13th Jul, 2023 | 7:10am

Sources: Liverpool to accept offer for big name after 'jaw-dropping' Henderson reveal

Liverpool will not stand in Jordan Henderson’s way as he prepares to accept a “jaw-dropping” offer from Saudi Pro League side Al Ettifaq, sources have told Football Insider.

Henderson is ready to end his lengthy Anfield association to head to the Middle East and link up with Steven Gerrard, who was appointed the Saudi club’s new manager last week.

If the England international, as is now increasingly likely, gives his approval to the move then Liverpool will open talks to sell their club captain and a deal will be agreed swiftly once a bid is accepted.

Football Insider revealed on Tuesday that Liverpool were planning to sell two big names this summer as they continue the refurbishment of the senior squad.

Jurgen Klopp is looking to add to the marquee captures of Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister for a combined £95million plus add-ons by signing a midfielder and a centre-back, both for the first team.

Should Liverpool as expected complete those two key captures, with Southampton’s Romeo Lavia now their top target, then there will be some departures.

The most likely of these are now Henderson and Thiago Alcantara, who is also the subject of strong interest from Saudi Arabia and will be allowed to go by Liverpool if he wants to.

Henderson still has two years left on the four-year contract he signed in the summer of 2021, meaning a fee would need to be agreed between Liverpool and Al Ettifaq.

Liverpool are looking to create room on their wage bill for the new arrivals.

Lavia has been targeted as Klopp and the club’s recruitment team look to bring in a defensive midfielder with his best years ahead of him.

He attracted the attention of Liverpool with a string of impressive performances for Southampton in his debut Premier League campaign last season and sources say he is seen as a “beast” who can break up the play, close down the space in which opponents operate and lay the foundations for the team’s attacking play.

In other news, Liverpool to accept offers for two superstars.