JORDAN HENDERSON was loudly booed by England fans on his return to Wembley after taking the Saudi Arabian millions.

Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate made the Al-Ettifaq ace captain for the 1-0 friendly win over Australia and defended his skipper after the Wembley crowd booed the £700,000-a-week midfielder.

The midfielder captained England against Australia

Jordan Henderson was booed by England fans while walking of the pitch

Southgate was shocked that sections of the England crowd booed Henderson

After Henderson’s name was called before the game, when he was on the ball in the first half, and after he was removed in the 62nd minute, he was heavily booed..

Henderson started last month’s away games in Ukraine, sat on the bench in Scotland, and received boos in his first game back in England, which Ollie Watkins won in the 57th minute.

Southgate said: “I really don’t understand it – he is a player, I think it is 79 caps now for England.

“His commitment and what he has done for England is exceptional.

“His role on and off the pitch is phenomenally important.

“So yeah some people decided to boo but I really don’t understand what that is for.

“We have players in England shirts. Come on, we play Italy here Tuesday. Let’s get behind this team.

“I know we weren’t at our best tonight but that is due to a lot of changes made and gave the players out there a really difficult task.

Asked if Henderson’s backing for Saudi’s 2034 World Cup bid last week would have annoyed fans, Southgate added: “What has that got to do with supporting a guy wearing an England shirt?

“I don’t really know where we’re heading with everything.

“I’m hugely impressed with the impeccable values and decisions that everybody in our country is making then. I don’t understand it.

“I know what has created it and why it has happened but it defies logic to me that you would give a player who is putting his heart and soul into playing for England. How is that going to help him or the team?”

Henderson had a difficult night at Wembley

The former Liverpool ace chats with James Maddison

Henderson was even booed in the warm-up when his name was read out