Steven Gerrard has effectively told Bukayo Saka to 'toughen up' after the Arsenal star complained about some rough treatment he endured during the Gunners' 1-0 victory at Aston Villa on Saturday.
Saka scored the only goal in the match at Villa Park, which consolidated Arsenal's fourth place standing in the Premier League and strengthened their hopes of a return to Champions League football.
But after the match, the England international revealed that he had spoken to referee Andrew Madley about the level of attention he had been receiving from Villa's defenders.
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Saka said: "I wasn't complaining to the ref but I just wanted to let him know that that's my game, running at players with pace, and sometimes I need a bit more protection when players are purposefully trying to kick me."
Saka was fouled repeatedly during the match and Tyrone Mings received a yellow card for catching him with his studs thanks to a late challenge, before the Arsenal forward was taken off with 20 minutes still to play.
But when the matter was put to Villa manager Gerrard, the former Liverpool midfielder dismissed Saka's comments and suggested that he got used to how life is at the top level of English football.
Gerrard said: "It's part of the game. The last time I checked it's not a no-contact sport. I think tackles are allowed, physicality's allowed. He's a good player, he's an outstanding talent and I love him.
"But he can't complain about that side. 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. He'll learn and he'll learn quick."
Gerrard received 61 yellow cars and six red cards during his 504 Premier League appearances with Liverpool.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, unsurprisingly, had a different view on the close attentions of his player.
Arteta said: "We have to listen to the players. They are the reason why we are all here."
