TalkSPORT pundit can’t believe what he’s hearing about one Liverpool player now

Add as preferred source on Google

Former Liverpool winger Jermaine Pennant has labelled Al Ettifaq’s pursuit of Jordan Henderson as ‘crazy.’

Henderson looks set to complete an astonishing move away from Liverpool, with a fee now the only stumbling block. The transfer has been met with a decidedly mixed reaction, but sheer disbelief has been an overriding emotion.

And for Pennant, that would probably be a fair summary of his response, too. Speaking on TalkSPORT yesterday, the ex-Reds player has declared whole thing to be a complete shock.

“It is crazy and I don’t know what they see in him,” said the 40-year-old. “It is Jordan Henderson, it is not like they are trying to prise Lionel Messi away. It is just Jordan Henderson.

“You tell me a game that Jordan Henderson has been a standout player, or done something that has stood out, I can’t.

“Okay, he was there but I can’t think of a game where I’ve thought, ‘oh yeah, this is why we’ve signed Jordan Henderson.'”

Henderson set for ‘crazy’ move

This is perhaps a little unfair from Pennant. There have been plenty of games where Henderson has more than proven his worth to Liverpool across 12 successful years.

But at the same time, you do understand where he’s coming from. The 33-year-old isn’t exactly a player of the star quality that the Saudi sides have been signing up elsewhere.

So, bearing that in mind, it’s very clear why Henderson has been targeted.

Without Steven Gerrard steering the ship at Al Ettifaq, there’s simply no way that the Liverpool captain leaves for the Middle East.

In fact, it’s probably safe to say that without Gerrard’s overtures, Henderson wouldn’t be leaving Anfield full-stop.

With two years left on his contract, Liverpool reportedly want around £20m to sell him. There’s no way anyone other than a team with more money than sense would be paying that. Al Ettifaq are said to be ready to pay whatever it takes, though. And it’s surely all down to Stevie G.

Pennant won’t be the only one surprised by the move, but when you put it all together, Gerrard’s presence makes it make sense.