Video emerges of Steven Gerrard appearing to struggle with language barrier during Al Ettifaq training

The Liverpool legend was announced as the Saudi Pro League side's new manager at the start of July and has already encountered problems in getting to grips with the language.

It appears there are some major teething problems with players appearing to be confused as to what they are being asked to do in a simple training drill.

The former Aston Villa manager's strong Liverpool accent will be a new tongue for some of the team member's and Gerrard could be soon be seeking solutions to help avoid such issues becoming a common occurrence.

A video posted on Twitter appears to show Gerrard struggling to communicate with players as they attempt to understand the instructions being issued to them.

The 43-year-old is fully invested in the training session as he starts to ramp up preparations ahead of the new season that gets underway in August and is seen encouraging his players during the short video.

Gerrard places a ball at his feet and shouting to a player off-camera, asks: 'You want it?'. The Englishman is then met with silence as it becomes obvious his message hasn't been understood.

He then asks the same question again and says: 'Tell me then, tell me then' before a moment of silence passes, sheer confusion takes over, and he picks the ball up off the ground.

Another player comes into the fray during the drill and stands there before running away as Gerrard starts shouting: 'Go orange ball, orange ball'.

He then turns back to the original player he was instructing and seems unhappy with what has happened as he points and states: 'No communication'.

Steven Gerrard well underway in training out in Saudi Arabia! Communication might be a problem for a while… 😅🇸🇦pic.twitter.com/Lf2Wt7VYFo

— EuroFoot (@eurofootcom) July 13, 2023

Other players meanwhile run around while separate fitness and ball-playing drills take place in the baking Saudi sun.

Gerrard will be hoping that his team will soon be boosted by the arrival of Jordan Henderson after Al-Ettifaq signalled their intent to bring the Liverpool captain to the club this summer.

Henderson met with Liverpool chiefs at the club's training ground on Thursday to discuss his future amid interest from Gerrard's team.