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Steven Gerrard's Al-Ettifaq win a first league game in FOUR MONTHS

  /  autty

Steven Gerrard issued a defiant response after guiding Al-Ettifaq to their first league win since October.

Gerrard's side had struggled for form but took a step in the right direction with a 2-0 win away to Al-Khaleej on Thursday.

Both of Al-Ettifaq's goals were scored by former Premier League players, with ex-Liverpool midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum opening the scoring before Demarai Gray, previously of Leicester and Everton, also netted.

Prior to Thursday's win, Al-Ettifaq's most recent success in the league had been a 3-2 win over Al-Wehda in October.

In the period between their two victories, Gerrard's team had drawn five games in the league and lost three.

Following the win against Al-Khaleej, Gerrard said: 'We have a lot of time to improve before the next game. For me, the pressure is now off.'

Gerrard's team are now in eighth place in the Saudi Pro League having taken 28 points from their first 20 games.

Jordan Henderson, who previously played with Gerrard at Liverpool, signed for Al-Ettifaq last summer in a high-profile move.

However, the transfer didn't go to plan, with Henderson's contract being terminated by mutual consent in January to allow him to return to Europe by signing for Ajax.

Next up for Al-Ettifaq is a home game against Al-Hilal on February 26.