Jordan Henderson played in front of a season-low crowd of just 610 people as Al-Ettifaq drew 0-0 away at Al-Fayha on Saturday.
The former Liverpool captain left the Reds in controversial circumstances in the summer, reunited with Steven Gerrard in Saudi Arabia after growing disillusioned with his potentially diminishing starting opportunities at Anfield following an £150m midfield overhaul. Al-Ettifaq started the season well, winning five of their first seven Saudi Pro League matches. But they have since dropped off, winning just one of their last seven matches in all competitions with such a run seeing them drop to seventh in the table.
Yet it is the lowly attendances that Al-Ettifaq are playing in front of in the Gulf State that has really set tongues wagging back on home soil, with their trip to Al-Fayha only witnessed by 610 people.
That is the lowest crowd of the season so far, beating the 696 they lost in front of when travelling to Al-Riyadh last month. To put such a figure into context, it is fewer than the lowest average attendances in the Vanarama National Leagues North and South this season. Farsley Celtic have played in front of an average crowd of 759 people, while Truro City’s average crowd, home and away, stands at 682.
It is not just Henderson enjoying a far from ideal time in the Gulf State after leaving Liverpool though. Roberto Firmino was benched by Al-Ahli for the second-successive game as his goalscoring drought in the Middle East continues.
Jordan Henderson of Al Ettifaq and Roberto Firmino of Al Ahli battling during Saudi Pro League match between Al Ahli and Al Ettifaq at Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Stadium
Jordan Henderson of Al Ettifaq and Roberto Firmino of Al Ahli battling during Saudi Pro League match between Al Ahli and Al Ettifaq at Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Stadium
