Jordan Henderson played the full 90 minutes of Al-Ettifaq’s Saudi Pro League clash with Al-Riyadh in front of fewer than 700 fans on Sunday. To make matters worse, Steven Gerrard’s side fell to a disappointing 1-0 defeat, slipping further behind Al-Hilal in the race for the league title.<\/p>\n
Henderson traded Anfield for the Middle East during the summer, with the England international accepting a bumper pay packet to turn his back on the Premier League. The 33-year-old has been a mainstay of Gerrard’s Al-Ettifaq midfield, making nine appearances so far this campaign.<\/p>\n
Sunday’s defeat at Al-Riyadh won’t have been a highlight for the 2018\/19 Champions League-winning captain, however, as only 696 fans turned up to watch Henderson and co lose 1-0.<\/p>\n
Khalid Al-Shuwayyi opened the scoring in the 18th minute, and while Al-Ettifaq rallied with more possession, shots and shots on target than their opponents, they were unable to mount a comeback.<\/p>\n
Don’t miss… <\/strong> Arsenal have ‘four-man shortlist’ if Liverpool beat them to Andre transfer<\/strong><\/p>\n Gerrard’s outfit have now gone three matches without a win, and Henderson wasn’t the only big name left humiliated by the game’s measly turnout. Demarai Gray, Georginio Wijnaldum and Jack Hendry were also involved, with the result leaving Al-Ettifaq nine points behind table-toppers Al-Hilal.<\/p>\n Two-thirds of the teams in National League North – the sixth tier of English football – boast more fans on average than the amount that turned up to witness Al-Riyadh’s recent win.<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/cdn.images.express.co.uk\/img\/dynamic\/67\/590x\/secondary\/5029071.jpg?r=1698134139279\")
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