Second Liverpool star to miss pre-season friendly as transfer away nears

Liverpool midfielder Jordan Henderson has been left out of Jurgen Klopp’s squad for the first pre-season of their tour against Germany, it has emerged, as the Englishman looks to conclude a move to Al-Ettifaq.

The Reds take on German second-division side Karlsruher SC on Wednesday evening to kickstart their pre-season campaign as they look to bounce back from a disappointing season in which they missed out on Champions League football.

But their captain and veteran midfield man will not be a part of the squad, as a potential move away from Anfield appears to be looming.

Reds legend Steven Gerrard, who Henderson took the Liverpool captaincy from, is now in charge of Saudi side Al-Ettifaq, and is keen to make the Liverpool veteran his first signing as manager.

Henderson is set to net a staggering £700,000 per week should he join Steven Gerrard’s new side in Saudi Arabia, with the Liverpool captain leaning towards taking the plunge and making the move to the middle east.

Though Liverpool are demanding around £10m for the midfielder, who has one year left on his contract, it is not thought to be a major obstacle and the Englishman being left out of the squad further indicates that a deal is in the closing stages.

Elsewhere, Fabinho has already been left out of the touring party as he looks to finalise a move to fellow Saudi Arabian side Al-Ittihad, who have bid £40m for the Brazilian’s services and will allow Liverpool to further strengthen in the centre of the park.

Klopp has already overseen the arrival of Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai in recent weeks, and yet more midfield additions are expected before the summer transfer window is over amid links to Southampton’s Romeo Lavia.

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