Liverpool icon left in no man's land after being AXED from squad for £42m new signing

Former Liverpool prima Roberto Firmino has been sacrificed by Al-Ahli arsenic Matthias Jaissle's broadside are forced to comply with the Saudi Pro League's rules connected overseas players

Roberto Firmino won beauteous overmuch each trophy going astatine Liverpool, but the Brazilian's determination to Al-Ahli hasn't gone to plan.

Firmino moved to the Saudi nine successful the summertime of 2023 and scored a hat-trick against Al-Hazem connected his debut. Since then, though, things person been little enjoyable - culminating successful his lack from Al-Ahili's squad for the remainder of the existent league season.

The 33-year-old ended with 9 league goals successful his archetypal play with the club, and has 5 successful 17 outings this term. Matthias Jaissle's broadside invested further successful January, though, and Firmino is the antheral to suffer.

Another Brazilian, Galeno, joined from Porto connected deadline time for £42m. The winger has gone consecutive into Jaissle's squad, and - with Saudi Pro League clubs lone capable to see a constricted fig of overseas players - Firmino drops out.

"It was a hard determination for the nine and based connected the rules," manager Jaissle said. "We admit him and helium dealt with it professionally. He's inactive 1 of our leaders."

Saudi Pro League clubs are permitted 10 overseas players, 2 of whom indispensable beryllium aged 21 oregon younger. Galeno joins erstwhile Premier League stars including Riyad Mahrez and Ivan Toney successful the main squad, with Firmino and Gjanni Alioski nether declaration but near out.

Despite being ineligible for league action, Firmino and Alioski are permitted to play successful the AFC Champions League elite. Firmino scored successful the caller triumph implicit Al-Sadd successful the competition, portion erstwhile Leeds antheral Alioski was an unused substitute.

Will Roberto Firmino instrumentality to Europe successful the summer? Have your accidental successful the comments section

Firmino is nether declaration with Al-Ahli until the summertime of 2026, but it remains to beryllium seen whether helium volition stay astatine the nine beyond the extremity of this season. Neymar was different subordinate to miss retired connected a spot successful his team's squad for the 2nd fractional of the season, and yet near Al-Hilal permanently to rejoin Santos.

"I emotion Santos." the erstwhile Paris Saint-Germain prima said aft making his 2nd debut for the nine against Botafogo. "I person nary words to picture what I felt contiguous erstwhile I stepped again connected this pitch. I request minutes, games. I'm not astatine 100%. I didn't expect to tally and dribble truthful overmuch tonight. I deliberation I'll consciousness amended successful 4 oregon 5 games."

After his unveiling, helium insisted: "I came to find my happiness, which is playing football. That's wherefore I came to help.

"The manager decides. Wherever helium needs me, I americium available, whether arsenic a winger, striker, cardinal defender, oregon midfielder... I'm present to help. I came to bring thing other to the team. I cognize who I americium and what my imaginable is, but I privation to assistance successful immoderate role. I person a thirst for victory."

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