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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Ian Doyle

Jordan Henderson response says everything as Saudi Arabia comes calling for Liverpool captain

If mere coincidence, then it was an appropriate one. But there was something decidedly pointed about the update from Jordan Henderson regarding his punishing close season fitness regime.

Among the gallery of images and videos posted by the Liverpool skipper over recent days were several of him landing a few heavy blows on a punchbag during a summer training camp working with private instructors.

Clearly, Henderson is once again up for the fight as the competition for places in the Reds midfield intensifies following the arrivals of Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai. With Liverpool keeping an open mind over further engine room reinforcement - Southampton's Romeo Lavia remains of particular interest - there could be a further new face with which to contend.

Nevertheless, it seems unlikely Henderson will throw in the towel just yet on his Anfield career, although whether his head can be turned by strong interest from Saudi Pro League clubs - including former Reds team-mate Steven Gerrard at Al-Ettifaq - is expected to be determined in the coming days. As it stands, Liverpool have received no expression of interest from any Saudi Arabian clubs nor been informed by the player of a desire to move elsewhere.

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READ MORE: Jordan Henderson transfer latest as Saudi Arabia interest grows in Liverpool captain

Henderson, though, will know his position is under threat like never before as he faces up to an inevitable transition of his playing days. Having turned 33 last month, he has now assumed the mantle of being Liverpool's oldest outfield player following the summer departure of vice-captain James Milner.

Both Henderson and Milner made the same amount of appearances for Liverpool last season, each playing 43 times. However, the former's tally of 2,558 minutes was double that of the latter, with only six other players on the pitch for a longer amount of time during the campaign.

That Henderson started 23 of Liverpool's 38 Premier League games last term indicates his influence - at least from the beginning of matches - is already being reduced. But it's intriguing to note that under Jurgen Klopp he has never started more than 29 top-flight matches in a single campaign, albeit occasionally due to injury.

Certainly, Klopp will have scope to again manage Henderson's minutes in the coming campaign to best harness his impact. Liverpool's midfield now has an extra injection of youthful energy in 24-year-old Mac Allister and 22-year-old Szoboszlai, with 22-year-old Curtis Jones, 20-year-old Harvey Elliott and 18-year-old Stefan Bajcetic making significant progress at different stages of the previous season. With 24-year-old Trent Alexander-Arnold also emerging as an engine room option, the vast experience of Henderson in a Klopp midfield will be vital.

Of course, Henderson is well versed at having to scrap for his Liverpool berth. It was his willingness to battle that prompted him to stay and work his way back into the first-team picture when given the opportunity to leave by new boss Brendan Rodgers in 2012 after a difficult debut campaign at Anfield.

Since his arrival 12 years ago, Henderson has seen the Reds recruit 10 midfielders yet still maintain a regular starting role - and the captain's armband for the last eight years - that has moved him to within just eight games of becoming only the 14th player in history to make 500 appearances for the club.

While it's not anticipated Henderson - who has two years remaining on his contract - will fully fill the vacant Milner role by acting as deputy right-back - he has only once featured in that position for Liverpool back in 2019 against Crystal Palace - his game intelligence and tactical flexibility will give him every chance of minutes during the coming campaign. Those qualities contributed to Henderson starting seven of the final 10 games of last season in which his defensive positioning and work-rate allowed Alexander-Arnold to prosper in an inverted right-back role.

Henderson's subsequent energetic performances for England last month in the wins over Malta and North Macedonia were a further reminder he feels he has plenty to offer at the highest level, even if the standard of opposition must be taken into consideration.

Should Henderson never kick another ball for Liverpool, his place in the Anfield annals is assured after leading the Reds to victory in every major competition. But the skipper is likely to remain hugely important to Klopp this season, albeit it in an evolving manner.

The fight is on once again. He won't play every game this term, but few would be surprised if Henderson is leading out the troops when the Premier League battle commences at Stamford Bridge next month. Saudi Arabia, though, is calling loudly.

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