Brendan Rodgers has gone viral after a video in Saudi Arabian robes showed the former Liverpool manager posing with a rifle.
The ex-Liverpool boss is currently working in Saudi Arabia after a swift exit from Celtic, taking over at Al-Qadsiah in mid-December.
His side are currently on a 13-game unbeaten run and are fourth in the Saudi Pro League, just five points behind leaders Al-Nassr, Sadio Mane‘s current club.
But that is not what got the internet talking on Monday, rather a promotional video for the kingdom’s ‘Founding Day’ celebrations, which saw the 53-year-old dressed in traditional Saudi attire.
That is not unusual as we have seen the likes of Steven Gerrard do similar in the past, but what was particularly affronting was that he posed with a rifle, leaving many to question if the footage was real.
Incredibly, it is; and it has in excess of two millions views.
“I want to give my sincere congratulations to all of the people of Saudi Arabia, Saudi has a real rich heritage and a really exciting future ahead” ??
Sheikh Brendan on #FoundingDay ??#AlQadsiahpic.twitter.com/Iw689uzoeh
— AlQadsiah Saudi Club (@AlQadsiahEN) February 22, 2026
“Today, is about respecting Founding Day here in Saudi Arabia and I of course will always respectfully wear it,” Rodgers said. “It feels nice and cool.
“I want to give my sincere congratulations to all of the people of Saudi Arabia, Saudi has a real rich heritage and a really exciting future ahead.”
His white, rich man privilege then shone through, however, as he lavished Saudi Arabia as “safe and secure,” adding that the “quality of life is and has been so nice.”
“I would have nothing but real positive feelings speaking about Saudi Arabia,” he said.
Of course, deteriorating human rights, illegal public protest, archaic laws against women and the LGBTQ community, among a long list, were never going to make it into the promotional video.
And the reaction online was what you would expect:
If Brendan Rodgers was a chocolate bar, he'd eat himself. https://t.co/LxjXfm4Fyk
— LFCZA (@LFCZA) February 23, 2026
Brendan Rodgers possesses the morals of a mosquito. https://t.co/YgvKcRwyiC
— stephen (@StephenDonophan) February 23, 2026
Mad what people do for doller? ? https://t.co/NzxGrvfVVl
— ? (@NFFCRED) February 23, 2026
Brendan Rodgers with a gun was an interesting opening of the app ? https://t.co/GzqFxI9UTN
— Tobes (@TobyEvenden) February 23, 2026
Must be so great being a straight male millionaire and being able to call Saudi Arabia safe, friendly and a place you’d recommend “anyone to try it”. Absolute joker. https://t.co/DmkXf0rtBK
— Sean (@WafcSean) February 23, 2026
Genuinely thought this was AI https://t.co/qEm4t9jn7v
— James Sharpe (@TheSharpeEnd) February 23, 2026
Not a single thing about this surprises me. https://t.co/Aev5PYvKjI
— Trev Downey (@downeytrev) February 23, 2026
Morals have a price then, Brendan.