21 September 2023 , 10:47
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Jordan Henderson has described former Liverpool team-mate Mohamed Salah as the “best player in the world” while outlining how he helped Georginio Wijnaldum join him at Al-Ettifaq.
The former Reds captain was offered a ridiculous £700,000 per week wage to join the Saudi Pro League side – managed by his ex Anfield team-mate Steven Gerrard. His long-term Anfield teammate Fabinho also moved to the Middle East, joining Saudi champions Al-Ittihad.
The moves are part of a new strategy from Saudi Arabian chiefs to bring big-name players to the country. The Middle East nation’s football scene has made waves ever since Cristiano Ronaldo was signed by Al-Nassr in January after the Portuguese superstar left Manchester United.
Speaking to Saudi Sports Company - the league's domestic broadcaster, Henderson has now given an interview in which he hailed Salah, who was one of the multiple targets that the Saudi league tried to attract but were unable to land this summer as the Reds rejected a £150million approach.
Henderson explained on the Egyptian: "The best player in the world from my point of view would have to be Mo Salah - 100%. Maybe I am a little bit biased because he is my friend, but what I've seen is dedication and sacrifice.
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"He's there every single day, his consistency in his performances, the goals he scores, and as a person. For me, that's why at the moment he is probably the best player in the world."
Have Your Say! When do you think Salah will leave Liverpool to move to Saudi Arabia ? Tell us what you think here.
Henderson quit Liverpool for Saudi Arabia this summer (Francois Nel/Getty Images)Henderson was viewed as one of the Premier League's strongest allies for the LGBT+ community but his move to a country where being homosexual or transgender remains illegal proved highly contentious. Anyone who identifies as LGBT+ in Saudi Arabia can be subjected to severe penalties.
The 33-year-old was joined at Al-Ettifaq by former Liverpool midfield partner Wijnaldum - via forgettable spells at Paris Saint-Germain and Roma, in which the Dutch midfielder suffered fitness issues - with Henderson explaining: "Gini's a fantastic addition to Ettifaq - fantastic player, fantastic person - I spoke to him a few times to try and get him to come here.
"A lot of players have asked me about Ettifaq, especially when I went back to the national team. They asked us what it was like and about the league. I think there's a lot of interest around the world around the SPL and I think it will go from strength-to-strength over the next year or two. Hopefully I can help - not just Ettifaq but the whole league."