Steven Gerrard ‘plotting double Liverpool raid’ after Jordan Henderson exit
Liverpool icon Steven Gerrard is reportedly plotting to raid his former employers to signal midfielder Thiago and centre-back Joel Matip in the summertime. Gerrard is presently in command of Al-Etiffaq and desires to take the duo to Saudi Arabia as Jordan Henderson prepares to return to Europe.
Henderson moved to the Middle East in the summertime following a 12-year spell with Liverpool and has featured 17 instances for Al-Etiffaq. But the blockbuster star, who was closely criticised for the switch, has didn’t hit the heights he displayed throughout his time within the Premier League and is ready to hitch Ajax within the coming days.
According to switch knowledgeable Ben Jacobs, Al-Etiffaq have freed up £8million to spend available in the market after terminating Henderson’s contract and are contemplating mortgage strikes for former Reds participant Roberto Firmino and ex-Celtic star Jota, who’re each presently plying their commerce in Saudi Arabia. But the membership can even take a look at Thiago and Matip in the summertime.
Thiago is but to characteristic this season after present process surgical procedure on a hip harm on the finish of the final marketing campaign, with Liverpool assistant supervisor Pepijn Lijnders lately saying the Spain worldwide would “not be ready for the end of this month.” The 32-year-old, who joined the Reds from Bayern Munich in 2020, has featured 97 instances for Jurgen Klopp’s workforce however is out of contract on the finish of the season.
Matip, in the meantime, began 9 Premier League matches in the course of the first half of the marketing campaign however suffered an anterior cruciate ligament harm throughout his facet’s conflict with Fulham in the beginning of December. He then underwent a profitable operation and is presently recovering from the setback.
Matip has been at Liverpool for the reason that summer time of 2016 after becoming a member of the membership on a free switch from Schalke. He has racked up 201 appearances for the Merseyside giants and can also be out of contract in the summertime.
Gerrard took on the highest job at Al-Etiffaq final summer time however has underwhelmed within the Middle East, together with his workforce profitable simply six of their first 19 Saudi Pro League matches of the marketing campaign. The former midfielder was sacked by Aston Villa in October 2022 however beforehand led Rangers to the Scottish Premiership title.
Gerrard spent nearly his whole enjoying profession at Liverpool and helped them win the Champions League in 2005. The former England star hung up his boots in 2017 following an 18-month spell with Los Angeles.