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Liverpool icon Steven Gerrard makes new two-word demand after shock Al-Ettifaq sacking
Steven Gerrard has admitted his Al-Ettifaq side 'must improve' as pressure on the Liverpool icon continues to mount. Gerrard took on the task of managing the Saudi Pro League side in the summer 2023, but almost 18 months down the line his side are struggling.
The former midfielder has been backed extensively in the transfer market with more than £30m spent to kit his team out with players such as Demarai Gray, Gini Wijnaldum and Jordan Henderson, who has since departed the club. The Liverpool legend's side might have comfortably beaten Qatar-based Al Arabi 5-0 on Wednesday to maintain a 100 percent record in the GCC Champions League, but have already been dumped out of the King Cup and in their domestic league they currently sit 13th in an 18-team table, three points above the relegation zone with only three victories to their name.
Gerrard will undoubtedly want to see his team closer than 13 points away from AFC Champions League Elite qualification spots in the Saudi Pro League table but recent results in the league have been disappointing. Some supporters evidently feel this way too, with fans having booed the manager and his team off the field numerous times already this season.
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And the former Rangers and Aston Villa boss has now admitted his side 'must improve in the league' following their poor run of form. "I am pleased with the result and keeping a clean sheet. It could have been a bigger result, but the most important thing is that we achieved a good performance," Gerrard assessed after Wednesday's 5-0 win over Al Arabi.
"We saw quality in front of goal and witnessed an enjoyable team. Our team is exceptional in this tournament. Today, the match gave us the opportunity to give more young players a chance.
He added: "We must improve in the league. We aim to win the next match to enter the break with high morale. It's important to build on today's performance and not feel like we've achieved perfection. We need to carry this performance into the next match."
As well as on-field issues, there has been some amount of turbulence off-field impacting matters. Executive sporting director Mark Allen and Gerrard's assistant Dean Holden were both sacked from their roles in a shock move from the Saudi outfit, before ex-Reds youth coach Michael Beale - who worked with the Ettifaq boss at Rangers and Aston Villa - became his new assistant.
Gerrard opened up on that decision last week, when the former Reds midfielder said: "The club made decisions regarding the departure of Mark Allen and Dean Holden. The decision was also made to bring Michael Beale in who is a super coach, we spent years together previously and it's great to have him back with me.
"Now we need some time to develop and improve."
