Al-Ettifaq have issued a joke apology to Liverpool fans after associating Jordan Henderson with their Merseyside rivals Everton.
The midfielder’s decision to leave Anfield after a lengthy tenure in order to accept a lucrative offer in Saudi Arabia sparked outrage. Al-Ettifaq paid £12 million to hire Henderson after the new manager and former Red Steven Gerrard made him one of his main targets.
The shortened initials E.F.C, which they share with Liverpool’s neighbors Everton, were linked with Henderson’s new shirt on social media, making fun of the relationship. Henderson has been given the No. 10 shirt at his new club.
Their post said: “Sorry to all the @LFC fans for putting E.F.C on Hendo’s [Henderson] back. At least it’s not blue. Better get that number 10 kit before it runs out.” The club’s new arrival made his debut in a 1-0 pre-season win over Abu Dhabi side, Al Jazira, at the weekend.
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Henderson is one of several players to swap Anfield for the Saudi Pro League. Fabinho has moved to Al-Ittihad for a hefty fee, ending his five-year spell at Liverpool. Roberto Firmino, who was released at the end of last season, has opted to take up a lucrative offer with Al-Alhi.
The former Liverpool man, who captained the team to Premier League and Champions League success, posted an emotional farewell message to the club’s fans. Henderson said: “Being made the captain of Liverpool Football Club was one of the greatest honours of my life.
“From the day the armband was passed to me I did everything I could to behave like a Liverpool captain should. But, the biggest honours at Liverpool weren’t personal ones, they were collective ones. All of us, all of you, together. Starting in Madrid with number six, the most perfect night. Probably my favourite night, actually. You’ve seen it I’m sure, the emotion – it was impossible not to be emotional.”
Henderson, who had previously been seen as an ally by the LGBT community, has faced a great deal of backlash as a result of his decision. The 33-year-old had publicly backed the group but made the decision to take a lucrative job in a country where homosexuality is illegal.