Jordan Henderson 'will damage his legacy with Saudi move' after campaigning for LGBT rights
Jordan Henderson is poised to leave Liverpool for Saudi Arabia
PA
Jordan Henderson's imminent move to Saudi Arabia will 'damage his legacy', according to Graeme Souness.
The Liverpool captain is poised to play under old team-mate Steven Gerrard at Al-Ettifaq after a deal worth £12million was agreed.
Henderson is set to pocket a huge £700,000-a-week over in the Middle East, with many criticising him for his decision to move.
The 33-year-old has previously campaigned for LGBT rights - but will now play in an area of the world where homosexuality is forbidden and illegal.
Jordan Henderson has supported the LGBT community during his spell at Liverpool
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And Souness said: "I think with him [Henderson], as an ally of the LGBTQ+ community and a supporter of Rainbow Laces – and then he ends up going to Saudi, I think without a doubt that will damage his legacy."
Henderson has been at Liverpool ever since moving from Sunderland back in the summer transfer window of 2011.
He skippered them to Champions League glory in 2019, with Tottenham beaten in the final that year.
And Henderson also played a key role as the Reds won the Premier League crown in 2020.
Saudi are determined to make a wave this summer, having previously signed Cristiano Ronaldo on a free transfer back in November.
A host of Premier League players have moved to the Middle East so far to join Ronaldo out there.
Edouard Mendy and Kalidou Koulibaly have moved from Chelsea, with Ruben Neves quitting Wolves.
And Fabinho, Henderson's Liverpool team-mate, is expected to leave Anfield for Saudi as well after five years on Merseyside.
Meanwhile, a Liverpool LGBT fan group recently said they were 'appalled and concerned' by Henderson considering a departure.
Kop Outs said: "Kop Outs have valued the allyship shown by Jordan Henderson.
"We are appalled and concerned that anyone might consider working for a #sportswashing operation for a regime where women & LGBT+ people are oppressed & that regularly tops the world death sentence table?
"Gerrard's participation in this sportswashing is particularly galling given his previous support for LA Galaxy teammate Robbie Rogers.
"When someone's made a fortune, should money tempt them to go to work?
"Maybe they should be asking themselves those questions.
'We hope that Jordan Henderson proves to be a man of his word and stays true to the values of our club, which so far he has been an absolute embodiment of."
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Jordan Henderson is set to leave Liverpool to play under Steven Gerrard in Saudi Arabia
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Another group named 3LionsPride said: "Our joy for Mr Henderson when he scored against Ukraine in the Euros (quarter-final) was, in part, due to his kindness and his 'lucky' rainbow laces.
"A banner was created to commemorate the low bar he had achieved in being outspoken on our right to support England and show visibility on the pitch.
"If the rumours are true, then that banner will be consigned to the depths of history."
Henderson has made 492 appearances for Liverpool, scoring 33 goals in the process.
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