{"id":213789,"date":"2023-08-29T13:57:35","date_gmt":"2023-08-29T13:57:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bestwnews.com\/?p=213789"},"modified":"2023-08-29T13:57:35","modified_gmt":"2023-08-29T13:57:35","slug":"steven-gerrard-loses-first-match-in-charge-of-al-ettifaq-as-barcelona-flop-brings-liverpool-icons-dream-start-to-an-end-the-sun","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bestwnews.com\/sport\/steven-gerrard-loses-first-match-in-charge-of-al-ettifaq-as-barcelona-flop-brings-liverpool-icons-dream-start-to-an-end-the-sun\/","title":{"rendered":"Steven Gerrard loses first match in charge of Al-Ettifaq as Barcelona flop brings Liverpool icon's dream start to an end | The Sun"},"content":{"rendered":"
STEVEN GERRARD's dream start as Al-Ettifaq manager has come to an end after his side lost 2-0 to Al-Hilal.<\/p>\n
The former Rangers and Aston Villa manager had picked up seven points from his first three games – which had included a 2-1 win over Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr.<\/p>\n
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Captain Jordan Henderson was unable to inspire Ettifaq to a comeback after first-half goals from former Barcelona star Malcom and Salem Aldawsari sunk the Dammam based side.<\/p>\n
Al-Hilal have been one of the busier sides in the Saudi league this transfer window and will be among the favourites for the title.<\/p>\n
They are one of the four sides that have been taken over by the Saudi investment fund alongside Al-Ittihad, Al-Ahli and and the aforementioned Al-Nassr.<\/p>\n
Traditionally the biggest club in Saudi Arabia, their backing has been significant, seeing them sign Neymar, Kalidou Koulibaly, Malcom, Ruben Neves and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic.<\/p>\n
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Neymar is yet to make his long awaited debut for the club due to sustaining a muscle injury and was absent against Gerrard's Ettifaq.<\/p>\n
But Gerrard and Henderson's men were unable to take advantage of his absence and fell to a defeat that sees them sit fifth in the table on seven points after four matches played so far.<\/p>\n
Al-Hilal meanwhile are second in the table on 10 points, behind leaders Al-Ittihad who have 12 points after a perfect start to the league campaign.<\/p>\n
Al-Ittihad's lead comes despite reported tension between star striker and current Ballon D'Or winner Karim Benzema and former Spurs boss Nuno Esperito Santo.<\/p>\n
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