If there were any doubts that the Saudi Pro League would be another flash in the pan like the Chinese Super League, news of Steven Gerrard’s first two targets for Al Ettifaq will undoubtedly have Liverpool fans sitting up and taking notice.
The former Reds captain and talisman has been confirmed as the new manager of the Saudi giants, and he is clearly not wasting any time in raising the bar.
Jordan Henderson and Aston Villa’s Philippe Coutinho, according to 90Min, are both on his radar.
Former Gerrard teammates, it will be interesting to see if either player is allowed to leave their current clubs, and if there is any indication that a deal is possible, whether the players themselves will be tempted by the vast sums expected to be on offer.
The outlet goes on to say that another former Liverpool player, Gini Wijnaldum of Paris Saint-Germain, could be of interest to Gerrard.
It’s not surprising that Gerrard is targeting players he knows from his own playing career, as he knows exactly what each can bring to the table.
If he can put together a semblance of a decent squad this summer and then continue to add to it in the coming windows, there’s no reason why he can’t be a success in the Pro League before returning to manage Liverpool if the opportunity arises.
