One former Liverpool player appears likely to reject reported interest from Steven Gerrard as he looks to leave his current club.
As per French outlet Football365, Bobby Firmino is gearing up to depart Al-Ahli, just a few months after joining the Saudi Pro League team following his exit from Liverpool at the conclusion of the previous season.
However, the 32-year-old seems to have grown frustrated in Jeddah after losing favor despite scoring a hat-trick on his debut and has failed to find the net since then.
Gerrard is reportedly interested in recruiting the Brazilian forward for domestic rivals Al-Ettifaq (The Mirror), but the former Liverpool striker seems to prefer a move back to Europe or returning to his homeland.
Firmino, a celebrated figure at Anfield, has experienced a swift downturn in fortunes at Al-Ahli. While initially a key figure in the team, he hasn’t started a match since Halloween, despite serving as club captain. His only three goals for the current side came in the mentioned treble against Al-Hazem in August (Transfermarkt).
The struggles aren’t exclusive to Firmino, as former Liverpool players like Gerrard and Jordan Henderson also faced tough times in Saudi Arabia, notably featuring for mid-table Al-Ettifaq in front of a small attendance of fewer than 700 for a match in October (The Athletic).
Despite the financial opportunities in the Middle East, it appears that these haven’t translated into successful playing or managerial careers for these players. The Gulf state has seemingly become a place where once-prominent European figures face difficulties in their footballing endeavors.
If Firmino is unhappy in Jeddah, it’s hoped that he can swiftly find a more appreciative club where his talents are better recognized.
