Liverpool transfer news LIVE – Boost Rodrygo, Crysencio Summerville race, latest Teun Koopmeiners

Former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has revealed he gave advice to Sir Alex Ferguson following his brutal sacking from Aston Villa in October 2022.

The 43-year-old lasted less than a year at Villa Park after being named Dean Smith’s successor following a run of just three wins from 12 Premier League games at the start of the 2022/23 season.

His sacking from the Midlands came after three stellar seasons with Glasgow Rangers as he guided them to an unbeaten season in the Scottish Premiership en route to winning the title.

However, in an interview with the Telegraph, the legendary Liverpool midfielder admitted his sacking from Aston Villa had left him affected and sought the advice of 13-time Premier League winner Ferguson.

“It was hard. It hurts. I felt it. But what people need to understand is that if I didn’t feel it, if I didn’t take it personally, if I didn’t take full responsibility for it, then I’m no longer Steven Gerrard because when it’s football and it’s professional and it’s something I like, I’ll always have it,” said Gerrard, who now manages Saudi Pro League strugglers Al Ettifaq.

“I’m not one of those people who look guilty, who look to point the finger. It’s not my style and that’s why it took me a while to process that heavy hardness. It shook my confidence a bit. Yes. I talked to many managers around. I went to see Alex Ferguson for a few hours and he said: ‘Take your time, don’t rush into anything. Take your time and process it, analyze it.

“And that’s what I did. But it didn’t affect my ambition. I had no goals when I set out on this different journey. I had no plan to go to Glasgow Rangers. I had no plan to go to the Premier League after three and a half years. I didn’t have Aston Villa on my CV. I’m trying to be the best version of myself and have a career in coaching because I’m passionate about it.”

Gerrard has won just 13 of his 36 games since taking over at the Saudi Pro League side last summer, but in January committed his future to the Ettifaq project by signing a new two-year contract.