Liam Byrne has major links to the Kinahan Cartel, who were one of Europe’s biggest drug smugglers before they were hit with a $15million bounty by US authorities
Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard’s real thoughts on his pregnant daughter’s relationship with the son of a major Irish crime figure have been revealed. Lilly-Ella Gerrard and Lee Byrne, who is not involved in crime, officially became a couple in October 2022.
The 20-year-old influencer excitedly told her social media followers of the pregnancy news last weekend before her former England captain dad congratulated her. However, there were no warm social media messages from Lee’s father, Liam, who is locked in HMP Belmarsh serving a five-year sentence on firearm charges.
The 44-year-old career criminal has a violent history – including a vicious baseball bat assault – and was named in Irish court as a ‘trusted lieutenant’ of the Kinahan cartel, which was once one of the biggest drug smugglers in Europe. Liam was head of the “Byrne organised crime group” for a decade, which ran the Kinahan cartel’s Irish operations.
The gang were so prolific at smuggling drugs that US authorities are offering $15million for information on its founder Christy “Dapper Don” Kinahan and his two sons, Daniel and Christy Jnr. The crime group’s influence in the drug trade has dwindled since the bounties were issued in 2022 and the crime family went on the run.
Despite the prospect of sharing granddad duties with a major Irish crime figure, Steven Gerrard, who manages Saudi Pro League club Al-Ettifaq, is said to treat Lee “just as he would anyone else”.
A family friend told the Daily Mail: “You have to remember that they were both young parents when they had Lilly, so while [it is] a surprise, it’s not as big a deal for them as it might be for others. They are a very close family, they spend a lot of time together, and Steven treats Lee just as he would anyone else.”
It is unclear whether the Liverpool legend has met Liam, who was arrested in Spain in 2023 before being jailed for five years on October 2024. He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to import firearms, but he is expected to only serve half of his sentence – and had already served 14 months in custody when he was brought to court.
Lee was shared his delight at his dad’s sentence, which he feared would be much longer. He wrote “get in there” online before adding: “I love you da. See you soon.”
Showing her support, Lilly-Ella, daughter of Liverpool legend Gerrard, wrote to her 205,000 Instagram followers: “So happy for my Lee, Love you so, so much always.”
Despite Liam’s long criminal history, his barrister Jeremy Dein KC insisted his client did not want to find himself before the courts again. The lawyer said: “He never wants to find himself in this position again and at the age of 43 he is determined to lead a good and honest life when he is released.”
The jailed gangster could be released in time for Christmas and his grandchild’s christening.
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