Ajax and Henderson concede 99' equaliser to let Dutch title slip out of grasp

Jordan Henderson and his Ajax side have seen the Eredivisie title slip away from their grasp after conceding a 99th-minute equaliser in their penultimate game of the league season.

The former Liverpool captain had been looking to lift another league title in his career after skippering the Reds to the Premier League title in 2020. It would see his side improve on their fifth-place finish from last season.

Henderson and Co had been in pole position to win the league, which would have been the 37th league title in the club's history.

They were on the verge with five games remaining, needing just six points to confirm the league title. PSV have been committed chasers, however, winning their last five matches.

But things went downhill after their win at Willem II on April 13. They had won their last three matches - including against PSV - but suffered defeat by Utrecht, who themselves have been chasing a Champions League place.

The 4-0 thrashing triggered a mighty collapse, with Ajax picking up just two points in their four games since, and the league title is now out of their hands this weekend.

After the defeat by Utrecht, Henderson's side drew with Sparta Rotterdam, conceding a 95th-minute goal and needing a desperate equaliser from Youri Regeer just two minutes later.

Things were still in their hands at the top of the league, however, but a 3-0 home defeat by NEC, who are eighth in the league table, raised eyebrows and left them needing to win their last two matches to guarantee themselves the title.

They had looked on course to do that when they travelled to Groningen on Wednesday night, with Anton Gaaei and former Manchester United forward Wout Weghorst on the scoresheet, and Luciano Valente sent off for the home side.

Against the odds, however, the league's 12th-place side score nine minutes into stoppage time to euqalise for the second time in the game through Thijmen Blokzijl to level the score and leave Ajax players stunned.

Henderson, who was part of Thomas Tuchel's first England squad earlier this year, played 90 minutes in all four fixtures, apart from against Rotterdam, when he did not feature at all due to suspension.

Now, Ajax must hope for a win against Twente on the final day, with PSV needing a win over Rotterdam to secure the title. They also have a significantly better goal difference, meaning a draw for Ajax would not be enough.

In the standings, Ajax have 75 points and PSV 76. Henderson's men had been nine points clear with five games remaining.

Henderson, now 34, joined Ajax at the start of 2024 from Saudi Pro League side Al-Ettifaq following his controversial move from Liverpool. He is his side's skipper.