19 February 2024 , 10:54
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Roberto Firmino finally ended his Al-Ahli goalscoring drought as the Saudi Pro League returned, after going 18 matches without a goal.
The former Liverpool forward returned from his side's midseason break and scored for the first time since August. Firmino notched a debut hat-trick in the first match of the season but failed to net again until Friday night.
The 32-year-old equalised from the penalty spot on the verge of half-time after Al-Ahli had twice went behind to Al Akhdoud. Alex Collado and Hamed Al Mansour each handed the hosts a lead but Solomon Kvirkvella's own goal first saw Firmino's team draw level before the Brazilian's spotkick put the score at two goals-a-piece.
It did not prove enough for the Jeddad-based side to come away with a share of the spoils however. Leandre Tawamba's second half goal ensured victory for Akhdoud.
While Firmino ended his struggle in front of goal, the result saw Al-Ahli, also home to the likes of Riyad Mahrez,Allan Saint-Maximin, Franck Kessie and Edouard Mendy, lose for the first time since October as an eight-game unbeaten run came to an end. Firmino's team sit third in the table albeit 16 points behind Al-Hilal.
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The ex-Hoffenheim forward played for Liverpool 362 times before making the move to the Middle East when his contract expired with the Reds. Firmino signed a three-year deal with Al-Ahli and was named captain ahead of the first match of the season.
Despite his 111 Liverpool goals, Firmino has not found the net fluently in Saudi Arabia. After an opening day hat-trick the Figueirense youth product became fruitless in front of goal.
Roberto Firmino signed for Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli in the summer (Getty Images)Firmino barely missed a minute in the opening 11 league matches before being dropped to the bench as his struggles continued. Before making his return on Friday, Firmino collected just 94 minutes of action across seven appearances.
The Brazilian ace had a tough time after making the move to the Middle East. Firmino tragically lost his father Jose Roberto Cordeiro, aged 62, in November following a heart attack in Dubai.
Speculation over a possible departure was rife over the winter period with Al-Fateh showing interest in a loan deal while Steven Gerrard was thought to be keen on landing Firmino for Al-Ettifaq. A return to Europe was also touted though it was said Firmino had no intention of leaving Al-Ahli
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