Roberto Firmino set for new chance after Liverpool return and five-month ‘nightmare’

oberto Firmino remained in Saudi Arabia after the close of the transfer window despite transfer speculation linking the Liverpool forward with a premature exit from Al-Ahli

Roberto Firmino remained in Saudi Arabia after the close of the transfer window despite transfer speculation linking the Liverpool forward with a premature exit from Al-Ahli

While Jordan Henderson might have escaped his Saudi Pro League ‘nightmare’ in January, it was a different story for Roberto Firmino.

The pair both left Liverpool to move to the Gulf State last summer, with the England international completing a controversial £12m transfer to Al-Ettifaq while the Brazilian joined Al-Ahli on a Bosman transfer. Having won every major honour at Anfield, both were marquee arrivals in their new surroundings and named club captain at their respective clubs.

Yet both would struggle in the Middle East during the first half of the season. Regularly playing in front of paltry crowds that would only fill a fraction of Anfield, Henderson made 19 appearances for Al-Ettifaq, as he failed to score but registered five assists, after reuniting with Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard.