(Reuters) – Jordan Henderson, England midfielder, praised his former teammate and current coach Steven Gerrard, saying he was a major reason why the 33-year-old moved to the Saudi Pro League. In July, Henderson joined Al-Ettifaq from Liverpool on a three-year contract to reunite with Gerrard, who spent the majority of his career at Anfield, winning various trophies, including the Champions League.
Henderson spoke to the club’s media, saying, “Of course I have played with the coach many years before, so I definitely have a good relationship with him. Steven was one of the most important reasons I joined Al-Ettifaq. Our professional relationship has continued here. We always talk about what we can do and can develop in the team, not only on the pitch but off it as well. He is a role model for many players including me. What he did at Liverpool was amazing.”
Al-Ettifaq are set for a challenging away game next Friday against Al-Nassr, the second-place team led by the competition’s top scorer, Cristiano Ronaldo, at the beginning of the second half of the campaign. Gerrard’s team won their first match in the league, defeating Al-Nassr 2-1 on the opening day of the season. However, the club has not won in their last seven matches across all competitions and currently sits eighth in the standings on 24 points from 17 games.
(Reporting by Ahmed El Khashab; Editing by Christian Radnedge)
