‘Money Wasn’t Motivation’ Claim After Following Cristiano Ronaldo’s 500M Footsteps by Rival Receives Scathing Criticism From Ex-Liverpool Captain

Saudi Arabia emerged as the go-to destination for soccer stars around the globe this transfer window. Following Cristiano Ronaldo‘s blockbuster $500 million move to Al Nassr, multiple European stars moved over to the Middle Eastern league for greener pastures. However, in an interview, a Liverpool star who moved to the league this season claimed money was not his priority for making the move. The player’s claims have not sat down well with a Reds legend who slammed the player for his reasoning.

Multiple European stars have decided to follow Cristiano Ronaldo to Saudi Arabia this season. Saudi Pro League clubs brought about their enormous checkbook, signing some of the biggest names across Europe in the transfer window. However, a player calling his move to the league not motivated by financial gains has not gone down well among the community.

Glen Johnson tears into Jordan Henderson for following Cristiano Ronaldo

Liverpool captain and defensive midfielder Jordan Henderson stunned fans when he decided to take up Al-Ettifaq’s offer. While the player was offered a massive hike to his existing salary at Liverpool, Henderson claimed his move was not motivated by the money at the offer.

Following his statement, former Liverpool star and England international Glen Johnson touched down on his comments in an interview. Glen tore into Henderson for creating a false narrative. The former Liverpool star stated in his interview that Henderson was motivated by the money, and saying ‘it doesn’t matter’ is a lie.

“Bloody hell, of course. The money was a major factor. He’s not gone there for the standard of football and if it wasn’t about money, then he would have gone somewhere else. James Milner moved to Brighton at 37 years of age, so there would have been many clubs that would have wanted Jordan this summer in Europe. However, Al-Ettifaq wanted him and paid him an absolute fortune. So you can’t blame him for going. I do believe that money was a huge, huge motivator.”

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Fans have not been happy with Jordan Henderson’s comments following his move. While a lot of personalities have touched down on the move, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp was the one who was most surprised by the move. Klopp, in a recent interview, responded to Henderson’s claims that no one wanted him at Liverpool.

Jurgen Klopp responds to Jordan Henderson’s statements

Former Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson stunned fans with a recent interview. The Al-Ettifaq star claimed that no one asked him to stay at Liverpool and he felt unwanted. The player also added that being on the bench was difficult for him considering he was the club captain for so long.

“If one person at Liverpool asked me to stay, I would have. If I’m not playing, as anybody will know, especially the manager, that can be quite difficult for me and especially when I’ve been at a club for so long, I’ve captained the team for so long.’

Following his recent comments, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp responded to the comments made by the ex-skipper. In a media scrum, when asked about Henderson’s statements, Klopp had this to say.

“Hendo said the truth in all departments. I told him I wanted him to stay, but we had to talk in these conversations about the possibility of him not playing regularly. We had to talk about that and I could not say he would play 50 games. That, in Hendo’s mind, was that we did not want him. That was why it was better he moved on, but there is not a bit of bad blood or whatever.”

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It seems like Klopp’s comments have somewhat diffused the situation, with both parties looking to move ahead. Do you think Henderson’s decision was influenced by money? Let us know in the comments below.