‘I was a Liverpool fan’ – Christian Purslow explains decision to sack Steven Gerrard from Aston Villa

Christian Purslow, Liverpool chief executive when Steven Gerrard captained the Reds, sacked him as Villa boss in October

Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard looks on

Aston Villa chief executive Christian Purslow was vocal about the decision to sack Steven Gerrard as manager in October, admitting their time together at Liverpool made the call more difficult.

Gerrard was relieved of his duties at Villa Park having won just 12 of his 38 games after succeeding Dean Smith in November 2021 following a hugely successful spell at Rangers where they beat Celtic for the Scottish Premiership title by 102 points, after going all season unbeaten. . .

However, the legendary ex-Liverpool captain’s spell at Villa Park was disappointing and his replacement, Unai Emery, has since guided the Villans to fifth place in the Premier League.

Purslow, who was chief executive of Liverpool between June 2009 and October 2010, was the man responsible for removing Gerrard from his position at Villa, a call that was not taken lightly, he explained in conversation with Beth. Sky’s Rigby News. .

I supported Liverpool” Purslow said in a large interview broadcast on Thursday evening at 21:00. “I was the third generation – my grandparents and my father were Liverpool and Liverpool fans. And so, like many, many football fans in the country, you grow up as a child and follow in your father’s footsteps.

“Yes, it was [a tough decision]. It was very tough. He’s a really good guy that I’ve known for a long time. When I was at Liverpool he was the club captain. But my priority is Aston Villa, and doing the right thing for our club, and I haven’t succeeded.

“Steven would be the first to admit it. You have to do the right thing. The board thought. I think we let things sink in for a while, then made that tough decision and moved on.”

Purslow also dismissed suggestions that he would have joined the controversial Super League had he still been at Anfield, adding: “Let’s not forget I’m the club’s managing director.

“My job is to be the owners’ eyes and ears on the pitch. And I would have told my owners that our fans would not have approved of a concept that goes against the very essence of English football for the last 150 years.

I think [Super League] is dead, and that’s because, again, in the aftermath and I mentioned this earlier when we talked about another example of a crisis in football, crises tend to incentivize administrators.

“The reaction to the Super League at all levels of football has been profound. Within the Premier League, Beth, we have introduced rules. Black and White Rules, an owners charter that pretty clearly states that if a manager of a club attempts to enter an unregulated tournament in the future, that club will suffer huge point deductions.

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Liverpool players rave about ‘incredible’ Cody Gakpo after Roberto Firmino comparisons

Cody Gakpo’s recent goal is another indication of the striker’s growing influence at Liverpool

Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo celebrates with his team mates after scoring his team’s first goal during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Liverpool at London Stadium in Stratford on Wednesday April 26, 2023. (Photo by Ivan Yordanov/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

It was a goal that, over time, could become Cody Gakpo’s trademark.

The Liverpool striker’s tight turn and 20-yard shot that went over the post was a goal the Dutch international had threatened to score almost since his first day as a Reds player. Ask Jurgen Klopp about the Dutchman’s qualities and he’ll be lyrical, ecstatic about the skills of his £37million signing in January. Shooting from distance, the manager has always explained, is one of Gakpo’s strengths, as is his precise control and ability to win the ball in tight spaces.

“His long-range shooting is exceptional,” Klopp enthused in January, adding: “It’s one of his extreme strengths and he has a long-term contract here, everyone will see that.”

little, tie the game, I can do to become an extra man in midfield sometimes. I just have to find my spaces to help the midfielders and the striker as much as possible.”

Before Joel Matip’s winning goal at the London Stadium, Liverpool’s previous 20 have all been scored by forwards, with Gakpo scoring four in games against Manchester United (2), Leeds and West Ham on Wednesday.

With Diogo Jota for four, Mohamed Salah for seven and Darwin Nunez (3) and Roberto Firmino (2) sharing five goals, the goalscoring burden is certainly shared at the moment. Add in the recent return of Luis Diaz and the manager has a whole range of firepower to choose from.

“It’s good for the manager to have a lot of options,” Gakpo told ECHO in a post-match chat after West Ham’s win. “Every game is different, you might need something different for a different opponent. It’s nice to be able to mix it up. It’s nice to have options like this. We needed this victory to put pressure on the teams above us. The only thing we can do is get the best possible results.

It hasn’t been a smooth transition for Gakpo since joining Liverpool at the very start of the January transfer window. He came at a time when the team’s confidence was low, injuries were biting hard and results were suffering.

A terrible start to 2023 saw Klopp’s side well beaten at Brentford, Brighton and Wolves while a struggling Chelsea held them to a goalless draw at Anfield. Gakpo was showing flashes of his quality but was unable to make a telling contribution