Jordan Henderson moved to Saudi Arabia ‘for the money’, insists Chris Sutton … who asks if he can ‘stand the fight for his place’ against Liverpool’s new signings on preview show It’s All Coming Up.

Chris Sutton insists Jordan Henderson should have said his move to Saudi Arabia was for financial reasons following a public backlash to his controversial interview.

The former Liverpool captain broke his silence on his move to join Steven Gerrard at Al-Ettifaq, stressing that he went to Saudi Arabia to “grow the game” and because his “value at Liverpool has changed”. .

Henderson denied reports that he earned up to £700,000 a week and that his intention was “never to hurt anyone”.

The England international has been a vocal supporter of LGBTQ+ rights and his move to a country that criminalizes homosexuality was condemned by gay rights groups.

Sutton told Mail Sport’s It’s All Coming Up – the little brother of the weekly podcast It’s All Kicking Off – that Henderson would “bury his head in the sand” after the interview and wondered if he ” “The fight” against Liverpool’s new summer signings could endure.

Chris Sutton (right) told Mail Sport’s Ian Ladyman (left) that Jordan Henderson moved to Saudi Arabia for money, although the midfielder denied the claims in an interview

Henderson’s interview with The Athletic explaining his move was met with public backlash

Sutton said Henderson (left) would bury his head in the sand during his interview

He told Mail Sport’s Ian Ladyman: “So you know he went to Saudi Arabia for the money, don’t you?” That’s essentially it. I don’t know why he doesn’t comply and just say that. And then I think everyone would understand.

“You know, if Jordan Henderson had been asked about the possibility of a move to Saudi Arabia a few years ago when the league was still in operation, we know he would not have been interested.

“The only interest in going to Saudi Arabia is that people make huge amounts of money.” And guess what? That’s fine. But just say it, don’t get involved in discussions about culture, you know, and other people bury their heads in the sand.

“The only person who’s burying his head somewhere is Jordan Henderson, and that’s somewhere you know he shouldn’t be burying his head right now.”

Mail Sport’s Ladyman, meanwhile, said Henderson had “dug a hole” for himself due to his past support of the LGBTQ+ community and expressed surprise that he did not fight for his place at Liverpool.

He said: “I assume, Chris, the hole that Jordan has dug for himself is related to his past support of the LGBTQ+ community and how that relates to him playing in a country like Saudi Arabia.” That is the problem.

“That’s why he’s talking.” I think that’s the situation he’s trying to explain. And I think we can both agree that he didn’t do a particularly good job. One of the things that intrigued me about the interview was more of a football nugget.

“When Jordan explained that he was leaving Liverpool, he said not because of the money but because he didn’t think he would be considered in Jurgen Klopp’s plans. “Jordan Henderson has never struck me as the type of footballer who doesn’t want to hang around and fight for his place.”

Sutton wondered whether Henderson could survive the battle for his position at Liverpool against new signings such as Alexis Mac Allister (left) and Dominik Szoboszlai (right).

Sutton then asked whether Henderson would be prepared to fight for his place at Liverpool against new signings such as Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister.

He said: “It surprised me a little bit what kind of character we all saw Jordan as a real fighter over the years.” But the things he talked about, the conversation with Jörg (Schmadtke – Liverpool’s sporting director) and I don’t understand (Jürgen) Klopp and the feeling of not being valued.

“He was still under contract with Liverpool and perhaps he just couldn’t bear the fight for his place against the likes of McAllister and Szoboszlai.”

It’s All Coming Up is the hard-hitting, short and sharp little brother to Mail Sport’s new weekly podcast It’s All Kicking Off, which features chief football writer Ian Ladyman and star columnist Chris Sutton in a heated Zoom Have a chat before the weekend.