After 12 years and 492 games on Merseyside, the former captain headed for the wealth and sun of Saudi Arabia. He signed for Dammam-based Al-Ettifaq in the summer of 2023, joining up with Liverpool icon Steven Gerrard who remains manager for the club.
Henderson, however, played exactly 19 games for Al-Ettifaq before having his contract terminated after just six months and instead opted to sign for the Dutch giants.
His first-full season has been plagued with injury at times and he has been heavily criticised in the Dutch media, often told to “get lost” when it comes to free-kicks.
However one of Henderson’s Ajax teammates has had enough of the talk surrounding his captain.
Pasveer praises Henderson
Ajax’s goalkeeper Remko Pasveer has spoken out on the media’s treatment of Henderson calling it “scandalous” and says he is important to not only the team but to Dutch football as a whole
In an interview with Dutch outlet Algemeen Dagblad, Pasveer says that as an experienced player he “feels responsible for the club’s well-being.”
There is a turnaround going on. That makes me very positive. The staff has a plan and is clear,” said Pasveer. “Jordan Henderson is also very underestimated in that. If you look at how the outside world talks about a player who has achieved so much… I think that is scandalous, really scandalous.”
“Jordan is a legend who made youngsters excel at Liverpool and now makes Ajax and Dutch football better. And look how he is being dismissed here. Do you think this will encourage him to advertise for the Eredivisie, if he is asked?
Without Henderson, Ajax is a lot worse off. “Take him away and a lot more falls away. We noticed that with Dusan Tadic too,” Pasveer added.
Pasveer’s comments will no doubt be welcomed by Henderson. But with heavy speculation surrounding his future, will the feeling remain should the former Liverpool midfielder decide to leave the Netherlands?
