Steven Gerrard has become a grandfather for the first time after his daughter, Lilly-Ella, gave birth.
Lilly-Ella, 21, is the Liverpool legend's eldest child, and she announced she has given birth to a baby girl on Instagram with her boyfriend Lee Byrne, the son of a jailed gangster. The influencer shared a snap on her social media of Lee walking out of the hospital holding a baby carrier.
The daughter of the former Glasgow Rangers and Aston Villa manager, 45, captioned the snap: "@Leebyrne 2 becomes 3", alongside a pink heart and a baby emoji. Lilly-Ella had already announced she was pregnant back in January.
"Our little secret, the best news, mini us is on the way," she said with a snap of two positive pregnancy tests and a pair of baby shoes.
The couple were first linked just over two years ago when they were spotted holidaying together in Ibiza when Lilly was 18, and Lee then 23. Lee himself is not involved in any criminal activities, but his father has a fearsome reputation.
Lilly-Ella Gerrard and Lee Byrne
Lilly-Ella Gerrard and Lee Byrne have welcomed their first child
Lee is the son of notorious Irish criminal Liam Byrne, who was sentenced to five years in prison for weapons charges in October 2024.
Byrne Snr pleaded guilty to conspiracy to import firearms and is expected to only serve half of his sentence, with him already serving 14 months in custody when he was convicted late last year after being arrested in Spain in 2023.
Lee is head over heels for Lilly-Ella, previously describing her as "the best person he's ever met". Lee has also grown close to the Gerrard family, and he has described Gerrard's wife Alex as his second mum.
Lilly-Ella Gerrard with boyfriend Lee Byrne
Lilly-Ella Gerrard and Lee Byrne are said to be head over heals to each other (Image: Steven McAuley steven.mcauley@reachplc.com)
Gerrard had moved back to the UK shortly after Lilly-Ella shared the news on her social media feed of her pregnancy. The Liverpool icon had been in Saudi Arabia, at the helm of Al Ettifaq.
However, he left the Saudi Pro League side by mutual consent on January 29. Gerrard has since been linked with a couple of jobs on these shores and worked as a pundit for TNT Sports.
The former England captain has an estimated net worth of £67m. He was one of the highest-paid players in the Premier League while at the peak of his powers with boyhood club Liverpool.
And he was believed to be on a deal worth £15m per year during his time as manager of Saudi Pro League side Al-Ettifaq.