From Henderson to Fabinho: How Liverpool's summer sales are performing this season

Tom Weber

• 1 Apr 2024 14:53 BST
• 3 min read

Liverpool experienced a summer of significant upheaval in 2023 as several established stars departed the Anfield club.

Jurgen Klopp and new sporting director Jorg Schmadtke oversaw a veritable midfield revolution as a host of players were moved on and replaced, with four fresh recruits in Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Wataru Endo and Ryan Gravenberch.

Despite the exodus, only two players were actually sold for a transfer fee by Liverpool last summer: Jordan Henderson and Fabinho. Both players followed the stream of superstars that headed to the Saudi Pro League, although the former is no longer plying his trade in Saudi Arabia.

MORE: From Xhaka to Balogun - How Arsenal's summer sales are performing this season

The rest of Liverpool's summer departures in 2023 left the club upon the expiry of their contract. Roberto Firmino joined Al-Ahli, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain signed for Besiktas, Naby Keita arrived at Werder Bremen, while James Milner was the only player to remain in England. He joined Roberto De Zerbi's Brighton.

Firmino has worn the captain's armband on numerous occasions in Saudi Arabia, but has only found the back of the net three times since his debut, Keita and Oxlade-Chamberlain have been constantly injured, and Milner isn't a regular.

But how have Liverpool's actual summer sales (Henderson and Fabinho) fared so far since leaving the club?

Jordan Henderson - €14m to Al-Ettifaq

Liverpool captain Henderson left the club to reunite with former teammate Steven Gerrard at Al-Ettifaq last summer.

Henderson's move to Saudi Arabia was controversial given the country's extremely poor LGBTQ+ rights and the fact the veteran midfielder had been an outspoken ally of equality during his time in England. He was therefore heavily criticised for his decision to follow the money to the Kingdom.

On the pitch, things weren't much better as Henderson failed to help Al-Ettifaq challenge near the top of the table.

He then left the club to join Eredivisie giants Ajax in January and he has been named on-field captain on several occasions since moving to Amsterdam.

MORE: From Fred to Elanga - How Man Utd’s summer sales are performing this season

Fabinho - €46.7m to Al-Ittihad

Fabinho also headed to the Middle East last summer, joining Karim Benzema and N'Golo Kante at reigning champions Al-Ittihad.

Despite their big-name summer arrivals, Al-Ittihad are fourth in the Saudi Pro League, with their title defence going horribly so far this campaign.

Fabinho has been a fixture in central midfield, although he has put together a very low-key season thus far. Kante has certainly been the most impressive performer in the middle of the park and the Brazilian appears past his best.