(Football news) In a preseason friendly on Wednesday, Liverpool defeated Karlsruher 4-2 without the presence of England midfielder Jordan Henderson, who is reportedly close to joining Saudi Arabian outfit Al-Ettifaq.

According to reports, Liverpool and its Premier League and Champions League winning captain have reached an agreement in principle on a deal for 12 million pounds ($15.5 million).

Henderson’s move would put him in contact with Steven Gerrard, a former Liverpool star who was just appointed manager of a Saudi Pro League squad. The 33-year-old Henderson’s probable acquisition is another proof of Saudi football’s growing allure as the oil-rich nation chases star players from Europe’s top leagues.

During the offseason, notable players like Karim Benzema and N’Golo Kante moved there. Riyad Mahrez is also anticipated to join Al-Ahli after Manchester City reportedly agreed to a deal worth up to 30 million pounds ($38.7 million) for its winger.

Roberto Firmino, a former colleague of Henderson’s at Liverpool, has joined Al-Ahli, and Fabinho, another former Anfield star, has also been mentioned in connection with a move to Saudi Arabia. While playing for the Merseyside club, Henderson won every significant club award, including the Premier League championship in 2020 and the Champions League in 2019.

Liverpool’s 30-year wait to repeat as English champions was over with that championship victory. Although he still has two more years left on his current deal, manager Jurgen Klopp’s offseason changes to the midfield may have had an impact on his chances to play for the first team.

In the recent transfer window, Liverpool added Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister, and it is anticipated that it may acquire another midfielder before the start of the new campaign. After a disastrous season in which the team failed to win a trophy and missed out on the Champions League for the first time in seven years, Klopp made changes to the midfield.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Naby Keita, and James Milner have all left the club, while Fabio Carvalho has signed a season-long loan with Leipzig. The future of veteran Spain international Thiago Alcantara is also up in the air; he has been said to be moving abroad, maybe to Saudi Arabia.
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