Liverpool great Steven Gerrard is currently enduring a tough time as manager of Al-Ettifaq in Saudi Arabia.
Steven Gerrard has taken to social media to congratulate his Al-Ettifaq side after they beat Al Qadisiya on Tuesday night. Moussa Dembele scored the only goal of the game in the ASIA: Gulf Club Champions League.
That victory was a much-needed boost for the former Liverpool midfielder – as the pressure has been mounting on him in recent weeks. Following a 2-0 league defeat to Al-Qadsiah on Friday, a large number of Al-Ettifaq supporters made their feelings clear.
They could be heard hurling insults at the 44-year-old, with some heard shouting ‘get out’ to the 114-cap England international. The result marked a fourth defeat in six games for Gerrard’s side and left them languishing 11th in the league table – someway off the pace.
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However, Gerrard was quick to praise his team following their win at Prince Saud Bin Jalawi Stadium. Taking to Instagram, he wrote: “Well done lads,” while adding love heart and applause emojis to his story on the platform.
Speaking after Friday’s alarming defeat, Gerrard said: “I spoke to the players. If we had performed like this before, we would not have put ourselves in this embarrassing situation, but I bear the responsibility.
“We conceded the first goal from a set-piece. Previously, we used to defend better from set-pieces.
“The second goal was scored by a young player – and he’d made the same mistake he made against Al-Fayha. The player is young, I bear responsibility for the second goal.
“I bear full responsibility for using a young player in defence, as he has little experience. His recruitment [signing] was to prepare him for development and the future – and using him was not appropriate – but due to injuries we were put in this position.”
