Steven Gerrard gives five-word response after Al-Ettifaq nightmare finally ends

Steven Gerrard said "the pressure is now off" after he guided Al Ettifaq to their first Saudi Pro League win since October on Thursday night.

Goals from Demarai Gray and former Liverpool midfielder Gini Wijnaldum secured a valuable 2-0 win over Al Khaleej for Ettifaq, whose astonishing nightmare winless run across all competitions prior to kick-off dated back to October 28. Since September 30, the Saudi Pro League outfit have won just two of their last 14 games.

Three points at the Prince Mohamed bin Fahd Stadium, though, should ease the pressure on Gerrard, who - despite signing a new three-year extension with Ettifaq last month - watched his side slip down the table and sit just eight points above the Saudi Pro League relegation zone before a first league win in 110 days.

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Speaking after the game, however, the 42-year-old ex-Liverpool captain insisted he wasn't feeling the pressure and reiterated that success with the Saudi Pro League outfit was never going to be a quick fix.

"When I spoke to the club management at the beginning of the season, we were clear on the idea that the team needed time and additions to be competitive," said Gerrard. "We have a lot of time to improve before the next game. For me, the pressure is now off."

For Ettifaq, it was the perfect start to life without Jordan Henderson, who ended his fleeting career in Saudi Arabia by sealing a move back to Europe by joining Ajax last month. The former Reds captain, 33, joined from Anfield last July but made just 19 appearances in the Middle East.

Following his departure last month,