Steven Gerrard was warned he's 'playing with fire' after partying with gangland boss' son

Steven Gerrard was spotted partying in 2023 with the son of a gangland leader (Image: Getty)

Steven Gerrard was once warned he was "playing with fire" after being seen in public with a notorious member of a criminal organisation.

Gerrard recently shared his excitement about becoming a grandfather for the first time after his daughter Lilly-Ella announced she is pregnant.

She is expecting a child with her boyfriend Lee Byrne, who she has been in a relationship with since October 2022, and the pair took to social media to show off scans of their baby.

"Our little secret the best news, mini us is on the way," Lilly-Ella wrote. Beaming with pride, Gerrard responded to the post saying: "We can't wait, great news and congratulations we love you".

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However, there was some cause for concern over Gerrard's close links with Lee given that his father, Liam Byrne, is allegedly a member of the Kinahan Organised Crime Group.

The Irishman, 43, has been identified in court as the head of an organised crime group.

In February 2016, his brother, David Byrne, was gunned down in one of the most infamous gangland killings in recent Irish history at Dublin's Regency Hotel – a shocking crime that intensified the Hutch-Kinahan feud, responsible for a tragic series of 18 deaths.

Lee is not involved in any unlawful activities. But former Garda assistant commissioner Pat Leahy warned the former Liverpool footballer that his association with his daughter's partner could be damaging for his public image.

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Leahy, speaking in 2023, made the comments after Gerrard was spotted in a video widely circulated on social media last year supposedly partying with Liam.

"It's the son [of Liam Byrne] going out with Gerrard's daughter," he told the Irish Mail on Sunday in 2023.

"I don't think it will do Steven Gerrard any favours now to be reading about him being arrested. He [Gerrard] certainly knew [who Liam Byrne is]; he's not blind and he can read.

"He was playing with fire there and it is going to visit him now, front-on. When it begins to crumble and the questions start coming from the journalists, he won't be left off the hook."

Steven Gerrard is in charge of Saudi Arabain club Al-Ettifaq (Image: Getty)

The Champions League winner has also been photographed with Nathan 'Biggie' Little, 24, earlier this year, who has been described as a junior member of the group by the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) in the High Court.

The pair have even exchanged birthday messages, with Little posting under Gerrard's birthday post on Instagram: "Alll dayyy laddd", while Lee posted, "How it's done" with a 'cool' and love heart emoji.

Little also wished Mr Gerrard's six-year-old son a happy birthday.

Gerrard - now coaching Al-Ettifaq in Saudi Arabia - has previously refused to be drawn on his relationship with Byrne Snr, but it appears that Lee is very much an active part of the Gerrard family as they prepare for their firstborn.

Steven Gerrard was warned he's 'playing with fire' after partying with gangland boss' son

Steven Gerrard was warned he's 'playing with fire' after partying with gangland boss' son

Steven Gerrard was warned he's 'playing with fire' after partying with gangland boss' son

Steven Gerrard was warned he's 'playing with fire' after partying with gangland boss' son

Steven Gerrard was warned he's 'playing with fire' after partying with gangland boss' son