Steven Gerrard is currently managing out in Saudi Arabia but that hasn't stopped him from showing a moment of class to an American supporter ahead of Liverpool vs Real Madrid
Sport
Updated 15:03, 28 Nov 2024
Former Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard
Former Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard(Image: Getty Images)
Steven Gerrard made a brilliant gesture before Liverpool's 2-0 win over Real Madrid that some fans will "never forget". The 44-year-old, manager of Saudi Pro League side Al-Ettifaq, wasn't in attendance as Arne Slot's side beat the 15-time Champions League winners, but he ensured others had an experience of a lifetime instead.
In fact, Gerrard invited Los Angeles United and its academy to watch the game at Anfield, as well as visiting the AXA Training Centre for the UEFA Youth League clash between Liverpool Under 19s and Real Madrid earlier in the afternoon. As shared on Instagram, LAUFC posted throughout the day of them at the training centre before making their way across the city to watch the first-team in the Champions League.
Their final Instagram story thanked Gerrard for giving them a memorable experience. A caption read: "Thank you to @stevengerrard and the @stevengerrard.academy for a night our kids will never forget!!" Gerrard shared the story on his own account, which boasts 11.6million followers.
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Gerrard is under pressure as manager of Al-Ettifaq, with the Dammam-based club sitting 12th in the Saudi Pro League table on 12 points from their first 11 matches. However, Gerrard's side gave themselves a much-needed boost with a 2-1 win over Al Arabi in the Gulf Club Champions League.
As for Liverpool, the Reds were excellent against Real Madrid in the Champions League and sit at the top of the new league phase format with five wins from their first five matches. Slot's men are having a fine season, having galloped to the summit of the Premier League with 10 wins from 12, too.
Speaking after the win over Real, Slot said: "I liked a lot what I saw. Of course not everything. I think we controlled the first half with creating a few chances, but I also thought we were still a bit sloppy, so we lost the ball in very easy situations or we forced it a bit too much.
"I said, ‘Try to be even more patient, let the gaps open up instead of forcing them.’ Then it helps if, the first seven minutes after half-time I think we had total dominance, they even didn’t come across the halfway line. If you score a goal like this, then we were flying, if you want to put it like this."