Jordan Henderson's stay in Saudi Arabia killed his integrity, credibility and career in England.

Jordan Henderson moved to Saudi Arabia partly to try to maintain his international ambitions. Photo: Liverpool FC/John Powell

The Fall of Jordan Henderson is a modern morality tale. In the space of 10 months, this once revered Liverpool captain, a Champions League winner no less, has managed to abandon his integrity, his authority and his place in the England team. 

At first glance, his move to Saudi Arabia last July looked like a foolproof scheme to accumulate generational wealth. Instead, it deprived him of everything he held most dear. The first was his reputation as a noble activist, as he betrayed his solidarity with the gay community by joining a regime that criminalized homosexuality. Now, at 33, his England career is over.

In terms of form, Henderson's absence may not come as the biggest shock. His stay with Steven Gerrard at Al Ettifaq was an obvious sham, ending by mutual consent after just six months. Moreover, his attempt to regain his international profile at Ajax quickly failed, with former Tottenham midfielder Rafael van der Vaart saying on Dutch television: “He passes sideways and backwards all the time. It doesn't make anyone happy.”

But Gareth Southgate, who let him go, considers it his greatest humiliation. Henderson has long been one of England's toughest mentors, so important to the cause that he was still vice-captain for the two March friendlies against Brazil and Belgium. Eight weeks later, he is no longer even guaranteed a place in the extended squad. Humiliation has rarely been more searing. While his move to Amsterdam should have strengthened his chances of qualifying for Euro 2024, it simply took away his significance.