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Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Gerrard optimistic about future</li><li>Committed to Saudi Pro League</li><li>Witnessing significant changes</li></ul>

Steven Gerrard reaffirms Saudi Pro League commitment as Liverpool legend insists he 'wants to be part' of Al-Ettifaq's future

Saudi Pro League

Al Riyadh

Al-Ettifaq

<a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/player/steven-gerrard/x87f1dy4cfudzyokftuw5ln9" target="_blank">Gerrard</a>, having signed a new contract with Al-Ettifaq in January until 2027, appears fully committed to the development of the highly ambitious Saudi Pro League, adamant there is potential for the competition to "get closer to the top" leagues in the world.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Big name players, many towards the latter stages of their career - but not exclusively, have flooded out of Europe to <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-sa/saudi-pro-league/ea0h6cf3bhl698hkxhpulh2zz" target="_blank">Saudi Arabia</a> since the start of 2023. The enormous financial incentives on offer have often made the headlines, although the football has continued to be criticised and not everyone has found it to be what they wished for. <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/shameless-jordan-henderson-saudi-pro-league-nightmare-leave-al-ettifaq-six-months/bltd97fac20a08a8c47" target="_blank">Jordan Henderson wound up leaving Al-Ettifaq within a few months</a> after seemingly struggling to settle and being left underwhelmed by poor attendances outside the country's state-controlled 'Big Four' clubs.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Gerrard told the <a href="https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2024/05/28/behind-saudi-arabia-attempt-to-dominate-world-gerrard-bilic/" target="_blank">Daily Telegraph</a>: "I knew they were going to be extremely ambitious. A lot of big-name footballers were coming to the league. There is the ambition to get there fast. The change in this league from 12 months ago, I have felt it. It has improved immensely. If that continues then I believe this will get closer to the top and I want to be part of that."

WHAT GERRARD SAID

Having finished sixth in the recently concluded 2023-24 campaign, Gerrard's Al-Ettifaq will have their work cut out closing the gap on those above them, finishing 48 points adrift of champions Al-Hilal and 17 points off the AFC Champions League places. Making up an 11-point gap to fourth place to qualify for Champions League Two, Asia's equivalent of the Europa League, might be more realistic, although fifth-place Al-Ittihad would be expected to bounce back in 2024-25 after a surprisingly poor season from the previous reigning champions.

WHAT NEXT FOR GERRARD & AL-ETTIFAQ?

Steven Gerrard reaffirms Saudi Pro League commitment as Liverpool legend insists he 'wants to be part' of Al-Ettifaq's future | Goal.com

Steven Gerrard insists he has &apos;felt&apos; the change in the Saudi Pro League since becoming Al-Ettifaq manager in 2023 and doesn&apos;t want to leave.