Author: Soorya G
Roberto Firmino, the former Liverpool striker recently signed by Saudi Arabian side Al Ahli, began the latest chapter of his career in Saudi Arabia in brilliant fashion with a magnificent hat trick on his debut. In the first game of the new Saudi Arabian Pro League season, Firmino set the stage alight with an extraordinary display of skill and experience, single-handedly securing a victory of 3 a 1 for his team against Al Hazem, who, after the defeat, dropped to the bottom of the table. Although this is only the first game of the season, and not against an opponent of extraordinarily high quality, the performance will certainly give Firmino and Al Ahli a solid platform for the rest of the season.
Al Ahli have been very prudent in their transfer policy, signing up to four players from top Premier League teams in the current window. Goalkeeper Edouard Mendy was the first to join the Jeddah club after being excluded from Mauricio Pochettino’s plans for the future. Champions League-winning stars Riyad Mahrez and Roberto Firmino followed soon after.
While Mahrez moved to Al Ahli in a 35 million deal, Firmino chose the club as his destination after his contract at Anfield expired. Newcastle’s French sensation Allan Saint-Maximin was signed by the team after the Magpies were forced to make sales to comply with Financial Fair Play regulations. Franck Yannick Kessie also came from Barcelona, after the former AC Milan star was allowed to leave the Camp Nou by coach Xavi Hernandez.
Against Al Hazem, Firmino got off to a fast start, scoring his first goal just five minutes after the kick-off. He struck again, taking advantage of a defensive error to double his team’s lead just ten minutes later. Firmino would complete his hat-trick in the second half, restoring Al Ahli’s two-goal lead after Vina had pulled one back for the visitors.