Steven Gerrard’s Al-Ettifaq side suffer a fourth defeat in six games as pressure grows on the struggling Liverpool legend in Saudi Arabia

Steven Gerrard suffered another demoralising defeat as Al-Ettifaq manager on Saturday night as his side lost 2-0 at home to Al-Qadsiah in the Saudi Pro League.

The Liverpool legend has been in charge of Al-Ettifaq for 16 months and he is said to be earning £15.2million per year in Dammam, while living over the border in Bahrain.

Al-Ettifaq finished sixth in the 18-team Saudi Pro League last season but are currently ranked 11th after nine rounds of fixtures in the 2024-25 edition.

Gerrard has faced widespread calls for him resign but he vowed to fight on at his pre-match press conference earlier this week.

Speaking on Friday, Gerrard told reporters: ‘On the back of recent results in my position you are always aware of disappointment from fans, I have to take that responsibility on my shoulders.

Al-Ettifaq boss Gerrard has now overseen four losses in his last six games in all competitions

‘That is what I will do and continue to fight and work to improve the recent results.

‘I don’t react, change or get over-concerned about social media or anyone on the outside of Ettifaq’s opinion, my priority is this club.

‘I listen to the people within and continue to support my players.

‘I meet Mr Hatem [Al Misehal, Ettifaq’s head of football] after every game and we talk football, whether it is a win, loss or draw. We have fantastic support, myself, the staff and the players from the management team.’

Addressing rumours he had been summoned for emergency talks, Gerrard replied: ‘We did meet yesterday but we meet after every single game.’

Despite Gerrard’s pre-match defiance, calls for him to be replaced are expected to intensify after Saturday’s game, which saw Al-Ettifaq beaten for the fourth time in six matches in all competitions.

Some fans remain behind Gerrard though.

A giant banner reading: ‘You’ll never walk alone’ – the famous motto of Gerrard’s boyhood club Liverpool – was on display at Ettifaq’s 7,500-capacity Abdullah Al Dabil Stadium throughout Saturday’s game.

Both of Saturday’s goals were scored in the first half, coming courtesy of Gaston Alvarez and Julian Quinones.

A giant ‘You’ll never walk alone’ banner was displayed throughout the game on Saturday

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (top) pictured jumping on team-mate Julian Quinones (No 33) while celebrating Al-Qadsiah’s second goal against Al-Ettifaq on Saturday evening

Al-Qadsiah’s starting XI also featured former Real Madrid captain Nacho Fernandez and ex-Barcelona forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

Meanwhile, Gerrard’s side included fellow ex-Liverpool star Georginio Wijnaldum and former Celtic frontman Moussa Dembele.

More to follow.