Liverpool FC is set for a significant midfield reshuffle, with veteran player Jordan Henderson nearing a move to Saudi Arabian side Al Ettifaq, while the club continues to strengthen its ties with Red Bull clubs.
According to reports from ESPN and Fabrizio Romano, Liverpool and Al Ettifaq have reached an agreement in principle regarding the transfer fee for Henderson. The 33-year-old England international has reportedly agreed to a three-year deal with the Saudi Arabian side, with the relevant documents set to be signed soon.
Henderson's departure comes as Liverpool looks to rejuvenate its midfield following the exits of Naby Keïta, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, and James Milner. The veteran midfielder, who made 43 appearances across all competitions for Liverpool last season, travelled with the squad for their pre-season tour in Germany but did not feature in their 4-2 win over Karlsruher, indicating that a move is imminent.
Al Ettifaq recently announced the appointment of former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard as manager, adding another layer of intrigue to Henderson's move. The club's connection with Gerrard, a Liverpool legend, adds a touch of familiarity to Henderson's new journey.
Meanwhile, Liverpool is also strengthening its ties with Red Bull clubs. The club has seen a revival of these links following the departure of Michael Edwards, with Dominik Szoboszlai joining from RB Leipzig and Fábio Carvalho heading in the opposite direction on loan. Liverpool's relationship with Red Bull clubs extends beyond player acquisitions, with the club's AXA training Centre modelled after Red Bull Salzburg's academy.
The close ties between Liverpool and Red Bull clubs have been facilitated in part by Salzburg's sporting director Christoph Freund, who discovered future Liverpool stars like Szoboszlai, Sadio Mané, Takumi Minamino, and Keïta. Freund is set to join Bayern Munich as their new sporting director in September, potentially opening up a new link for Liverpool.
Liverpool's transfer strategy reflects a focus on rejuvenation and maintaining strong relationships with clubs that share a similar football philosophy. As the club bids farewell to Henderson, a stalwart of the midfield, it continues to build for the future, leveraging its ties with Red Bull clubs and potentially forging new ones with Bayern Munich.
