A familiar tale as Steven Gerrard departs Al-Ettifaq with relegation fears in the air

Whether he jumped or was pushed, the former Liverpool captain is once again bequeathing a club at risk of the drop

Perhaps it was the sight of Piers Morgan in Saudi Arabia that prompted Steven Gerrard to leave the country. Or maybe it was the opposite, and the presence of the former broadcaster – in Riyadh to watch his mate Cristiano Ronaldo – provoked pangs of homesickness. Or did the 44-year-old even choose to go at all? Reports in England suggested the Liverpool legend wanted out for personal reasons, while those coming out of Saudi Arabia suggested that Al-Ettifaq, languishing 12th in the Pro League, made the move.

“I want to express my gratitude to the club, the players, the fans, and everyone involved for the opportunity and the support during my time here,” Gerrard said on Thursday as his departure was confirmed. “From the first day I was warmly welcomed and I have enjoyed the chance to work in a new country with a different culture. So overall I have learnt a lot and it’s been a positive experience personally and for my family as well. But football is unpredictable and sometimes things don’t go the way we want.”