Steven Gerrard clashed with opposite number Odair Hellmann during Al-Ettifaq’s Saudi Pro League match with Al-Raed
Footage has emerged of Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard involved in a furious touchline bust-up. The incident happened during Al-Ettifaq’s latest Saudi Pro League clash.
Gerrard’s side enjoyed a flying start to the season, winning their opening three games before going down 3-0 at home to Sadio Mane‘s and Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr.
Al-Ettifaq, who are captained by former Liverpool midfielder Gini Wijnaldum, then rescued a 1-1 draw at Al-Taawoun before suffering a bruising 1-0 defeat at home to Al-Raed on Thursday.
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It’s a result that leaves Al-Ettifaq eighth in the standings heading into the international break. And the fallout has continued in the days after Gerrard angrily clashed with his opposite number Odair Hellmann.
The pair had to be separated by the officials during the 19th minute when the game was goalless, but even after they were, it was clear the Anfield great was incensed.
And Hellmann, a Brazil youth international in his playing days, has continued the war of words.
Speaking in his homeland (via the Daily Record), the 47-year-old said: “He (Gerrard) is being criticised for the millions of dollars invested in his team since last year. And they lost to us with eight foreigners.
“We were left with three and five kids on the field. He was going crazy.
“I demanded fair play from him in the first half and he got angry. I told him that fair play was only for his own benefit.
“And that they didn’t need this attitude, they just had to play better, because there is no comparison in investment between the teams.”
After calling his time on his glittering playing career, Gerrard started his coaching journey in the Liverpool Academy before taking over Glasgow giants Rangers, where he won the Scottish Premiership title without losing a match.
The 43-year-old made the move back to the Premier League in November 2021 when he was appointed manager of Aston Villa. But he was sacked the following October with a record of 13 wins, eight draws and 19 defeats from 40 matches.
In July 2023 he took over Al-Ettifaq, who he guided to a sixth-placed finish in his debut season in charge.
