Al-Ettifaq manager Steven Gerrard has hailed the impact of veteran Jordan Henderson.

The former Liverpool star put in an excellent showing with his new team in a tight 2-1 win over Al-Nassr on Monday.

Gerrard, who was delighted to get a win in his new job, believes Henderson will only get better as the Saudi Pro League rolls on.

“We put him in a position in the team where he can be our on pitch coach, if you like," he said to reporters.

“We know what he brings to the table, I certainly do more than others.

“He is still not match fit because of the summer, we know he's extremely fit anyway. He played for the sake of the team tonight, was not necessarily ready, but I think he showed what an elite athlete he is because to play in that heat for that long at the level he's at was a credit to him."