Jordan Henderson hits brutal new low as Liverpool team-mate Roberto Firmino loses captaincy
It was another difficult weekend for former Liverpool pair Jordan Henderson and Roberto Firmino in the Saudi Pro League.
On Saturday, Jordan Henderson played in front of a season-low 610 spectators as Al-Ettifaq drew 0-0 away at Al-Fayha.
After leaving the Reds in controversial circumstances in the summer, the former captain of Liverpool grew disillusioned with what he perceived to be diminishing starting opportunities at Anfield following a £150 million overhaul of the midfield.
He later reunited with Steven Gerrard in Saudi Arabia.
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.
Initially installed as captain, the Brazilian scored a hat-trick on his debut for the club.
However, he hasn’t scored since with his drought now extended to 13 matches after Al-Ahli’s 2-2 draw with Damac on Saturday.
Such form has prompted fans to turn on the forward and reports suggest the Saudi club could look to move him on in January to make room for a new overseas signing, with Pro League sides only allowed to register eight foreigners in their squads.
And speculation has only been heightened by Firmino finding himself benched against both Damac and Al-Ahli’s previous outing as they won 3-0 over Al-Riyadh, with Franck Kessie taking the captaincy in his place.
Striker Firas Al-Buraikan, who joined the club in September, started upfront for the first time, at the expense of Firmino, and registered both a goal and an assist against Al-Riyadh. He’d also set up a goal against Damac.
Meanwhile, substitute Sumaihan Al-Nabit, who was brought on ahead of Firmino for the injured Allan Saint-Maximin against Damac on the half-hour mark, scored Al-Ahli’s second goal.
Brought on for the final eight minutes against Al-Riyadh, the Brazilian was introduced in the 76th minute against Damac, moments after Farouk Chafai had halved Al-Ahli’s 2-0 lead. Firmino’s side then conceded a last-minute equaliser to Nicolae Stanciu.
While many players have found out the only way is down after leaving Liverpool behind, both Henderson and Firmino are discovering the brutal nature of such a fact the hard way.
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Micah Richards picks who’s more likely to win the Premier League this season… Liverpool or Arsenal
Micah Richards believes Liverpool are more likely to win the Premier League than Arsenal this season.
Richards has been speaking on The Rest Is Football and discussed Liverpool’s chances of challenging for the title this season.
Jurgen Klopp’s men currently sit level on points with Mikel Arteta’s side as both teams are a point behind league leaders Manchester City.
Liverpool and Arsenal appear to be the two sides who are the most capable of challenging City for the title this season.
The Reds have only tasted one defeat in the league this season and that was the controversial 2-1 loss at Tottenham.
As for Arsenal, they are yet to find their best form this term but have managed to consistently pick up positive results.
But Richards thinks Liverpool are more likely to win the league than Arsenal this season.
Richards says Liverpool more likely to win the league than Arsenal
Speaking on The Rest Is Football, Richards was asked who thinks has a better chance of winning the league.
“I would say Liverpool,” he said. “Just because Salah and by all accounts Van Dijk had a really good game today.”
Alan Shearer then added: “He did have a good game. He looked back to his best, he read the game very well.
“And they are always going to score goals Liverpool, with the talent they have up top.”
Both sides look set to push City to the wire based on their early-season form.
Of course, Klopp has the added experience of beating Pep Guardiola’s men to a title in the past whereas Arteta’s men fell short last season.
But the best is yet to come from Arsenal and you’d imagine they will only get stronger as the season goes on.
City also haven’t been at their best in the early stages of the campaign but they endured a similar start last time out before going on to win a treble.
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