Gerrard may dent Liverpool's title tilt as Al-Ettifaq boss eyes double transfer

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Al-Ettifaq are also interested in bringing an Aston Villa star to the Saudi Pro League
Al-Ettifaq are also interested in bringing an Aston Villa star to the Saudi Pro League

STEVEN GERRARD'S Al-Ettifaq are eyeing up TWO Liverpool stars, according to reports.

The Reds icon, 43, convinced Jordan Henderson to swap Merseyside for the Saudi Pro League in the summer.

Steven Gerrard is interested in bringing two more Liverpool players to Al-Ettifaq eiqrkihqierprw
Steven Gerrard is interested in bringing two more Liverpool players to Al-EttifaqCredit: Getty
Joe Gomez is one Reds star being linked with a move to Saudi Arabia
Joe Gomez is one Reds star being linked with a move to Saudi ArabiaCredit: Rex
Gomez has filled in for various first-choice Liverpool players this season
Gomez has filled in for various first-choice Liverpool players this season

It is a move that has not worked out for Henderson, 33, as he is now seeking a return to the Premier League.

But that has not deterred Al-Ettifaq from pursuing more of Jurgen Klopp's men.

According to CaughtOffside, a three-hour recruitment meeting saw the Saudi side land on Liverpool defenders Joe Gomez and Joel Matip as two of their summer targets.

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Aston Villa's Bertrand Traore - who Gerrard bossed as Villa Park - was another name identified.

And with the money the Saudis can offer, a transfer could end up being completed as early as January - disrupting Klopp's title challenge.

Gomez, 26, has started five of Liverpool's last six games, filling in at full-back as Klopp copes with injuries to Andy Robertson, Kostas Tsimikas and Trent Alexander-Arnold.

But when everyone is available, Gomez is a bit-part player in the squad and has struggled to lock down a regular spot in the team.

Meanwhile, Matip has been sidelined since December with an ACL injury and is expected to be out for a lengthy period.

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Joel Matip is another Liverpool man being monitored by Al-Ettifaq
Joel Matip is another Liverpool man being monitored by Al-EttifaqCredit: Getty
Matip was a regular in Liverpool's defence alongside Virgil van Dijk before his injury
Matip was a regular in Liverpool's defence alongside Virgil van Dijk before his injury

His contract is also set to expire in the summer.

Klopp spoke about Matip's contract situation last month.

The Reds boss said: "I’m pretty sure the club will show their class. We have to make a decision with Joel with how things look after that.

"I would say so [there is a chance of a new deal] but it’s not my decision."

Celtic icon Frank McGarvey dies aged 66 as tributes paid to hero after cancer fightCeltic icon Frank McGarvey dies aged 66 as tributes paid to hero after cancer fight

Henderson was not the only Liverpool player to move to Saudi Arabia last summer.

Roberto Firmino joined Al-Ahli after his Reds contract expired at the end of the season.

And Fabinho signed for Al-Ittihad after a successful five-year stint in England.

Liverpool sit three points clear of Aston Villa at the top of the Premier League table and five above champions Manchester City having played one game more.

Jordan Henderson, right, signed for Al-Ettifaq in the summer but now wants a return to the Premier League
Jordan Henderson, right, signed for Al-Ettifaq in the summer but now wants a return to the Premier LeagueCredit: Reuters

TRANSFER NEWS LIVE: All the latest transfer deals from around the world this January

Dylan Terry

Liverpool FC, Al-Ettifaq, Transfer News, Steven Gerrard, Jurgen Klopp, Joseph Gomez, Jordan Henderson, Joel Matip

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