Steven Gerrard given reality check by Cristiano Ronaldo as Saudi dream falters
Steven Gerrard had Al-Ettifaq sitting level on top of the Saudi Pro League table after three wins in three matches to start the 2024-25 season. However, Cristiano Ronaldo and Al-Nasser knocked the former Liverpool captain off his perch with a sound 3-0 thumping.
Ronaldo converted a 33rd-minute penalty before old friend Sadio Mane provided assists to Salem Alnajdi in the 56th minute and Anderson Talisca in the 70th to secure the victory.
The loaded Al-Nasser squad can also call on the likes of Aymeric Laporte, Otavio, Mohamed Simakan, and Angelo, putting Gerrard at a disadvantage.
Gerrard, one of the highest-paid managers in the world, guided Al-Ettifaq to a sixth-place finish in his first campaign in Saudi Arabia.
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Al-Ettifaq striker Moussa Dembele, formerly of Lyon and Atletico Madrid, scored the lone goal in wins over Al-Shabab and Al-Okhdood to open the season.
Gerrard's squad features an eclectic mix of players in forward Karl Toko Ekambi and Demari Gray alongside midfielders Georginio Wijnaldum and Seko Fofana.
Gerrard began his managerial career in charge of the Liverpool u18 side back in 2017 before earning the Rangers job ahead of the 2018-19 season.
He ended Celtic's 10-year title streak in Scotland when Rangers won the SPL unbeaten in 2020-21. Aston Villa took notice and named him head coach that fall.
Gerrard led the Villains to an underwhelming 14th-place finish in 2021-22 before he was unceremoniously sacked after just two wins in 12 to start the next season. He was named head coach of Al-Ettifaq in 2023.
The former Liverpool captain inked a two-year contract extension earlier this year taking Gerrard's contract until 2017. The Saudi side are paying him close to $19 million a season, making Gerrard one of the highest-paid managers in the world.
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“This is very pleasing for myself and my family and feels like recognition for a lot of hard work and commitment," Gerrard said of the extension.
"We had to put in place new infrastructure, like building a new training ground in phases and building a new stadium. But a lot has been achieved."
Al-Ettifaq will look to regain their winning ways when they take on Al-Adalah Club in the King's Cup on September 23.