Steven Gerrard warns Bukayo Saka over tough tackles as he battles "screws in hips"

dailystar.co.uk:

Aston Villa boss Steven Gerrard has laughed off Arsenal's Bukayo Saka’s plea for more protection on the pitch - and warned him of the physical reality of becoming a top Premier League star.Liverpool legend Gerrard claimed the youngster needs to realise that tackling is allowed after Saka moaned to referee Andrew Madley that Villa were too heavy handed during Arsenal's 1-0 win at Villa Park.And while Villa boss Gerrard waxed lyrical about the 20-year-old’s ability as a player, he made it clear that Saka needs to man-up when it comes to taking the knocks in the heat of battle.The winger’s main grumble centred around a 34th-minute challenge from Tyrone Mings which flattened the Arsenal man and had players squaring up to each other.

Mings was booked even though replays showed that he clearly got the ball first. It came just four minutes after Saka had fired the visitors ahead with a left foot shot which flew in through a ruck of players.Mikel Arteta ’s men were clearly unhappy about the sliding tackle which left Saka with a cut foot, but the Villa boss was having none of it.

Gerrard said: “He’s a good player, an outstanding talent. I love him. But he can’t complain about that side of it, that’s football.

I’m sitting here now with screws in my hips. I’ve had about 16 operations. I’m struggling to go to the gym at the moment. That’s all on the back of earning a living in English football.