Steven Gerrard insists he would've taken Michael Beale with him to Saudi Arabia sooner, but he couldn't due to Beale's commitments at Rangers and Sunderland.

The pair have reunited in Riyad after Beale joined Al-Ettifaq's coaching staff last week.

They previously worked together for over four years at Rangers and then Aston Villa.

Gerrard has been out in the Middle East for around 18 months now. 

And the Liverpool legend admits he'd have liked to have had Beale on board before now had it not been for his own managerial journey, which started at QPR over two years ago.

Ettifaq sits 12th in the 18-team Saudi Pro League as things stand. 

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They secured a 0-0 draw against Al-Riyadh yesterday to put an end to their losing run, which saw Gerrard's old assistant Dean Holden and sporting director Mark Allen lose their jobs.

Speaking to the press after the game, Gerrard was asked about reuniting with Beale. 

He said: "He is a great coach. He will help the team a lot, but we need time to develop some things. I am sure that he will develop the team more.

“I did not want to lose Michael when I was at Aston Villa, and when he left (for QPR) I was upset.

"It was a blow to me, and if he had been available when I negotiated to come to Al-Ettifaq, he would have been my assistant at the club."