Steven Gerrard blames bizarre reason for Al Ettifaq’s struggles

Hmmm

Gerrard joined Saudi Pro League side Al Ettifaq this summer and started the league campaign positively only for form to dip in recent weeks.

Al Ettifaq currently sit seventh after a 1-1 draw with Al Ittihad on Friday evening and are seventh in the table - 15 points behind top spot.

The side, who boast the likes of Jordan Henderson and Moussa Dembele among their ranks, are now winless in four.

So far this season, Gerrard's side are the only team yet to be awarded a penalty and the former Rangers and Aston Villa boss believes that's a contributing factor behind their struggle to win games.

He told reporters: "We are the only team to not have a penalty, but I think we deserved it in more than one match.

"It is true and this has been noted by myself and the club. I am not the one who decides the penalty kicks for our team, but we have deserved one in more than one match not just today (the draw with Al-Ittihad)."

Gerrard continued: "The dressing room was full of sadness on my players' faces because of the draw.

"We are disappointed with the result. We were closer to getting the three points."

Related links:

• Jake Daniels calls Jordan Henderson’s Saudi Arabia move a ‘slap in the face’
• Players are ‘hating every minute’ of big-money Saudi move
• Jordan Henderson believes playing in Saudi Arabia is a positive thing