The departure of Jordan Henderson and Fabinho from Liverpool in the summer posed a severe threat to Jürgen Klopp’s rebuilding efforts even before the season started. It seems like a long time ago that Liverpool missed out on Moisés Caicedo in the scramble for a number six.
After only a few months, the players who went after the money may now be regretting their choices. Naturally, there has been a lot of talk about how Henderson’s poorly planned transfer is already going south. His decision to effectively turn his back on the LGBT+ community, for which he had previously mobilized so passionately, was surrounded by controversy, which has made him a target of mockery whenever he plays for the England team.
It’s quite frankly puzzling at this moment how devoted Gareth Southgate is to the former captain of Liverpool. With Al-Ettifaq having not won since October, Henderson is not playing nearly as well as he did earlier in the season with the Reds, and you have to wonder when Southgate will draw the line.
However, Henderson isn’t the only one who isn’t enjoying himself immensely in the Middle East. Both Fabinho and Roberto Firmino, his former teammates, are having equally difficult times; the former is currently being linked to yet another transfer.
Firmino could not have had a better start to his career in Saudi Arabia. A hat-trick against Al-Hazem on his Al-Ahli debut revealed the Brazilian was
poised to attack the Pro League, but not a single goal has been scored since.
Goal reports that fans were calling for the 32-year-old to be moved as early as November. TeamTalk subsequently stated that Al-Ahli is prepared to let go of the forward. That would be the ultimate fall from grace for Firmino, who only a few months ago had his name signed by every corner of Anfield.
That ought to be Mohamed Salah’s first serious warning. Of course, the Saudi Pro League is still interested in the Egyptian, and the Gulf state’s aspirations were well demonstrated by Al-Ittihad’s rejected $184 million (£150 million/€172 million) offer during the summer. According to a recent post by Italian journalist Rudy Galetti on X/Twitter, another Saudi club has joined the picture. It is stated that ‘contacts’ have been established to explore the possibility of a contract with his representatives.
Many have speculated that this may be Salah’s last season playing for Liverpool because he will turn 32 this year and be entering the last 12 months of his deal. However, unlike his previous teammates, the winger isn’t exhibiting any symptoms of slowing down, and Klopp doesn’t seem to be interested in getting rid of him.