Jordan Henderson and Sadio Mane have reunited publicly for the first time in the Saudi Pro League.
After their respective departures from Liverpool over the past year, the former team-mates have embarked on new journeys in their football careers with moves to the Middle East. Mane spent a year in the Bundesliga with Bayern Munich before joining Al Nassr, while Henderson has bid an emotional farewell to Anfield and signed with Al Ettifaq.
The reunion between the Premier League and Champions League-winning duo took place during a launch party for the Saudi Pro League. During the event, Mane and Henderson embraced each other with a hug, clearly delighted to see one another after their separate paths led them to Saudi Arabia.
Mane, seemingly taken aback by Henderson's departure from Liverpool and his decision to move to there, expressed his surprise with just four words: "I can't believe it." The genuine camaraderie between the two players was evident as they shared another hug and a laugh, reports the Liverpool Echo.
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The presence of Steven Gerrard, now the manager of Al Ettifaq, added another Anfield connection. Although the new Saudi Pro League season is yet to star, Mane has already played twice in the Arab Club Champions Cup, while Henderson has started one pre-season friendly with the captain's armband.
The league will feature numerous players who have made the move from Europe to Saudi Arabia. Al Ettifaq, Henderson's new team, will face Al Nassr on opening night, making it a match worth watching for Liverpool supporters.
Who is the bigger Liverpool legend, Sadio Mane or Jordan Henderson? Let us know in the comments section below.
Henderson released a statement after making the controversial move, which said: "I am not sure I have any words to sum up how I am feeling right now. I am in the dressing room for the last time and as you can imagine it is very emotional. I need to somehow explain what these last 12 years have felt for me and my family."
The England midfielder added: "Thank you for allowing me to be part of your club. Thank you for your support, through good times and bad. Thank you for all the sacrifices you made and will continue to make. Just know that I will always be a red until the day I die. Thank you for everything. You will never walk alone."
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