Gerrard seems to have only one goal as the new coach of Al Ettifaq in Saudi Arabia: to strengthen his team with big-name players. One of his first choices is Philippe Coutinho, his former teammate at Liverpool. This is reported by the Daily Mail.
The Saudi club indeed aspires to compete with its competitors who attract stars. Al-Ittihad, for example, have acquired Kanté and Benzema, while Al-Nassr has Cristiano Ronaldo. A real struggle is therefore looming, hence the desire of Gerrard’s new club to enroll Coutinho in its ranks.
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Reviving in the Middle East?
At 31, Coutinho played alongside Gerrard at Liverpool and was managed by him during his spell at Aston Villa. Sadly, he hasn’t been at his best, scoring just one goal and providing no assists in 22 games played in the 2022/23 season. Under coach Unai Emery, the Brazilian appears to be on the decline.
Coutinho’s arrival in Saudi Arabia would no doubt be a masterstroke for Al Ettifaq, which aims to reach the level of its toughest rivals, but also for Coutinho who could revive there.
