Steven Gerrard strongly hits back at Saudi criticism as he puts Liverpool accusation right

Liverpool legend has after a discussion with Hatim Al Misehal, the head of football for the Saudi Pro League club. The icon has been under mounting pressure recently due to a disappointing streak of performances.

Currently, Al Ettifaq is positioned 10th in the Middle Eastern league and hasn't celebrated a league victory since mid-September. In its most recent match, it was unexpectedly knocked out of the King's Cup by second-tier team Al-Jabalain FC, which only further increased the scrutiny on Gerrard's position.

Gerrard, whose team finished sixth in the last season, has been facing increasing demands from fans and commentators to step down from his role. However, while acknowledging the criticism, the ex-Reds skipper has assured that he is striving to enhance results.

"On the back of recent results in my position you are always aware of disappointment from fans," Gerrard stated at his latest pre-match press conference. "I have to take that responsibility on my shoulders.

"That is what I will do and continue to fight and work to improve the recent results. I don't react, change or get overly 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 after every game and we talk football, whether it's a win, loss or draw, we have fantastic support, myself, the staff and the players from the management team. We did meet yesterday but we meet after every single game."

Gerrard has hit back at suggestions that he schedules Ettifaq's training to accommodate watching Liverpool games, emphasizing his dedication to the Saudi team. "I am aware of where it came from," he explained. "I was on a podcast trying to raise money for a children's charity to make the charity survive and continue."

"I was asked if I still followed Liverpool and I said, 'Of course I still follow Liverpool,' they played a huge part of my life and shaped me as a player, person and coach I am today. I want to make it abundantly clear my priority is Ettifaq, I have a contract with Ettifaq and I am in a real privileged position.

"I respect all my previous clubs, Liverpool, Aston Villa, Rangers and LA Galaxy, but my main importance is this job and trying to make this club in the best possible way on and off the field. I am all in and I will continue to be all in."

Liverpool.com says: Things have never been easy for Gerrard in Saudi Arabia but he didn't join one of the biggest-backed sides. It was always going to be a tough job to compete at the very top. When his Al Ettifaq role comes to an end, whenever that might be, it will be fascinating to see what Gerrard does next.