MO SALAH grills former Saudi Pro League star —and ex-Liverpool captain — Jordan Henderson in a secret London rendezvous caught by The Sun.
Reds legend Salah was axed by boss Arne Slot for the mid-week trip to Inter after his bombshell interview that claimed he had been “thrown under the bus” by Slot and that someone at Liverpool “wanted him out”.
SunSport revealed on Monday that he was a target for Al-Hilal — and on Thursday the Pro League chief Omar Mugharbel confirmed that “Salah is welcome” in Saudi.
And with the 250-goal star’s future in doubt, rumours over a move to the Middle East will reach fever pitch after we captured the duo deep in conversation.
Salah, 33, found time to quiz pal Hendo, who had a five-month spell with Saudis Al-Ettifaq and our pictures show him concentrating hard as he listened to his former Liverpool skipper, who now plays for Brentford.
England star Henderson quit Liverpool for Al-Ettifaq for £12million in 2023. He was criticised by some LGBTQ+ campaigners over the move to Saudi, where same-sex sexual activity is illegal.
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But witnesses to the clandestine lunch told how Hendo, 35, was waxing lyrical and, “answering a lot of questions from Mo”.
The pair tried not to be seen as they darted into fancy Italian eaterie Scalini in Chelsea, West London, on Wednesday afternoon.
One source told The Sun: “They both came in wearing covid-style masks and had hats covering their faces. They tried to stay under the radar.
“Our mouths dropped when we saw it was Mo and Jordan. The immediate thought was, ‘Salah’s off to Saudi’.”
The millionaire pals were in the well-heeled restaurant for 90 minutes, and tucked into tasty pasta dishes washed down by coffee and fizzy water.
Aston Villa fan and onlooker Ben said: “Mo looked happy as he listened and took it all in.
“He kept asking Jordan questions, and lent in eagerly to hear what was being said.
“I couldn’t believe what I was witnessing.
“It was obvious Jordan was explaining things to Mo, who listened so intently and was clearly mulling over what he was being told.”
Salah, in a black top, was seen stroking his beard deep in thought as Henderson, dressed in a white shirt, chatted to him in a quiet corner of the swanky venue.
Egyptian king Salah shocked the world of football after unloading on his bosses at the end of Liverpool’s 3-3 draw with Leeds in the Prem last Saturday.
The forward was an unused sub in that game and the game before against West Ham before his snub for Milan when he also posted a picture of himself alone in the gym.
Several players have liked the post, while Henderson commented with a red heart emoji.
Salah had blasted: “I said many times before that I had a good relationship with the manager, and all of a sudden we don’t have any relationship.
“I don’t know why but it seems to me, how I see it, that someone doesn’t want me in the club. It seems like the club has thrown me under the bus.
“That is how I am feeling. I think it is very clear that someone wanted me to get all of the blame.
“It is not acceptable to me, to be fair. I don’t get it. It’s like I’m being thrown more under the bus. I don’t think I’m the problem.”
Manager Slot will face questions over whether Salah, who signed an improved new two-year contract in April, will be available to play against Brighton this weekend. The Egypt superstar goes to the Africa Cup of Nations on Monday.
Henderson joined Brentford after spells with Al-Ettifaq and Dutch outfit Ajax.
But he’ll be best remembered for captaining Liverpool and winning a Prem, Champions League, FA Cup, Carabao Cup, Club World Cup, European Super Cup, and Community Shield during his 12-year stint at the club. So his decision to show support for Salah was a big deal.
Despite fevered speculation over his future, Liverpool insist that as Salah only signed a new contract, worth in excess of £400,000 a week, months ago they expect him to see that out.
They have no plans to sell as they believe the issue with Dutchman Slot can be resolved.
But Saudi Pro League sources think that is an attempt by Liverpool to protect their star player’s transfer value, and are keeping a keen eye on developments.
At the World Football Summit in Riyadh on Wednesday, chief executive Mugharbel said: “Mohamed Salah is welcome in the Saudi League, but it is the clubs that are responsible for negotiating with players. For sure Salah is one of them.”
Saudi sides Al-Hilal, Al-Qadsiah and Neom are all understood to be interested should the Reds, who rejected a £150m offer from Al -Ittihad in 2023, give any encouragement that a deal could yet be done over the coming weeks.
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