STEVEN GERRARD has accused his rivals of trying to ‘kill’ Alfredo Morelos’ Rangers career.
The Liverpool legend claims there is a campaign fuelled by fear to drive the Colombian striker out of Scottish football.
Rangers star Alfredo Morelos caused controversy against CelticCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Gerrard said: “Is Alfredo perfect right now? No. Will he make mistakes going forward? I predict he probably will.
“But a lot of the fallout and the opinion, people do want to kill him. People want to see Alfredo on the other side of the world for good.
“You also have to understand where that’s coming from and the reasons why it’s getting said.
“It’s because he is a threat, because he scores big goals and he is a big player for Rangers. He is one of the key factors here.
“If we are to be successful, people know it will be largely down to his goals and his contribution. But that is life, that is the way it is.”
People do want to kill him. People want to see Alfredo on the other side of the world for good. When I played with Luis Suarez at Liverpool, he didn’t really have any fans outside the club
Steven Gerrard
Morelos picked up the seventh red card of his Gers career against Celtic last month, before gesturing towards Hoops fans as he left the field.
Former Celts striker Chris Sutton called for the controversial hitman to be hit with an immediate five-game ban for his actions.
Police Scotland are investigating claims Morelos was subjected to racist abuse at Celtic Park on December 29.
Gerrard warned: “I think the people that fire the negativity have to remember what they have got under their own roof.
“Not everyone is perfect in other teams as well. We understand all that, there’s no problem.
“When I played with Luis Suarez at Liverpool, he didn’t really have any fans outside the club.
“I used to join up with England and the opposition players despised him and couldn’t believe you were saying he was actually a genuine guy and a family man and had a heart of gold.
“That is why these players are special, because they have got that in their game. They are not always going to get it right and everyone has to accept that.
“The most important thing for us is that Alfredo is going to help us massively in the second half of the season.
“I’m not going to sit here and paint a picture that he’s an angel or he’s perfect, but what I can guarantee is he’s doing everything he can to improve.”
Morelos is suspended for the games against Stranraer, St Mirren and Hearts and has been granted extra leave by Gerrard.
The Gers gaffer is putting the rest of the squad through their paces in Dubai.
But he revealed: “We’ve given Alfredo an extra few days for a couple of reasons.
“He’s not available in the short-term, but more importantly, he loses a day going home, he loses a day coming back.
“Add to that, over the course of the nine months, he gets very little chance to go and see his family. The London lads, if they get a day or two, can go home.
“For a young lad, it’s important he gets valuable family time.”
Rangers boss Steven Gerrard has leaped to Morelos’ defenceCredit: Willie Vass – The Sun
Rangers star Alfredo Morelos hands out food packages to those in need in his hometown
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
