Former Liverpool team-mate doesn’t buy Jordan Henderson’s excuse for leaving club

"He’s not gone there for the standard of football."

Former Liverpool star Glen Johnson doesn't buy Jordan Henderson's excuse for leaving the club to join Saudi Pro League side Al-Ettifaq. The Liverpool skipper declared in an interview with The Athletic, that he did not feel wanted by the club, and that was his reason behind leaving last summer. The England midfielder also claimed that money wasn't the reason behind the move, saying that he could have made a lot of money by staying at Liverpool. However, his old team-mate Johnson, doesn't buy that for one second and when speaking to GGrecon the ex England international was sure that money had a bigger part to play than Henderson claimed.

“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, but I do believe that money was a huge, huge motivator.” The Saudi League doesn't seem like it's done with Liverpool players as they have their sights firmly set on Mo Salah, and despite failing to get him last summer, Johnson believes that they could swoop in again this January. “I could see it happening," he said. "Mo’s not going to be able to always perform at the same levels that he has been doing over the past few years and if Liverpool can cash in for huge money for a 31-year-old, then it would be difficult for the club to turn down. "The same goes for Mo because he will find it difficult to turn down the money that’s on offer for him. January could be the perfect time for Liverpool to cash in because if Mo’s interested in the move then they can make an enormous amount of money for a player that’s in his thirties.” Related links:

• Brendan Rodgers takes unpopular stance on Jordan Henderson's controversial move to Saudi
• "Money has never been a motivation. Ever." Henderson explains move to Al-Ettifaq
• Liverpool set to target Championship midfielder as Henderson replacement