'Money talks' - Steven Gerrard's Saudi move explained by ex-Liverpool team-mate Robbie Fowler with former Aston Villa boss struggling at Al-Ettifaq

The former Reds and England skipper formed part of the mass exodus leaving European football for the Middle East when agreeing to take the reins at Al-Ettifaq. He has found the going tough, with only seven wins secured in 19 games, and is struggling to rebuild his coaching reputation on the back of flopping across an 11-month stint in the Premier League with Aston Villa.

Previous success from his time in Scotland, which saw title glory savoured in Glasgow with Rangers, is quickly being forgotten. Time is, however, on Gerrard’s side when it comes to earning more opportunities in his homeland, with there a point to be proved in Saudi Arabia while also lining his pockets.

Fowler, a former team-mate of Gerrard at Anfield, has told the Up Front with Simon Jordan podcast when quizzed on the motives behind moving to the Middle East and what the future could hold: "Will Steven Gerrard be a top manager? Yes, I think he will be. I like Steven, I like him as a person and as a manager. He wasn’t brilliant at Aston Villa but he’ll tell you that himself, and that is why it’s important for him to go to Saudi and do well.

"There may be an argument that he’s looking to reinvent himself and go back to being the manager he was at Rangers. He was an unbelievable player, and he speaks unbelievably well on the game. I can’t speak for Steven, but I think it’s an opportunity. It could be a good thing for him if he goes over there and smashes it. When you talk about the long-term plan, you’ve got to have the attitude first and foremost, that you want to do well. The reality is that money talks, and I don’t think he’s gone there to get back into the Premier League. I think for players and managers who go over there they’re thinking about the now, I don’t think they’re thinking about the future."

Gerrard spent just 40 games in charge of Villa, and has seen Unai Emery turn them into potential Premier League title challengers since his departure. He signed a deal said to be worth £15 million ($19m) a year when linking up with Al-Ettifaq – where he now has the likes of Jordan Henderson and Georginio Wijnaldum at his disposal.