Roberto Firmino could soon be joined at Al Ahli by one-time Liverpool nemesis Marcos Llorente.
Firmino is settling in at the Saudi Pro League club having left the Reds on a free transfer in June. Since his arrival, his new club have splashed the cash. With Riyad Mahrez and Allan Saint-Maximin already signed, Al Ahli now have a fearsome looking forward line.
And according to journalist Gregg Evans, they may soon have someone to provide that trio with the ammunition they need. Reporting on X, Evans says the Saudi side are ‘closing in’ on the Atletico Madrid midfielder.
“Saudi Pro League side Al Ahli are now closing in on the signing of Atletico Madrid midfielder Marcos Llorente,” says the journalist.
“Al Ahli have already signed Edouard Mendy, Riyad Mahrez, Roberto Firmino and Allan Saint-Maximin and they hope the Spanish midfielder is next.”
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At one time, it’s fair to say that Llorente was quite possibly the most hated man amongst the entire Liverpool fan base.
Having swept all before them in the Premier League up to that point, the Reds were harbouring hopes of a domestic and continental double in 2020.
But after a difficult 1-0 loss in Madrid in the first leg of the last-16 tie, they had work to do back at Anfield. Typically on a big European night on Merseyside, Liverpool were electric.
Although Jan Oblak held firm for much of the game, a Gini Wijnaldum header sent the proceedings into extra-time. With the crowd pushing Liverpool on, it was – ironically – Firmino who got the goal that looked set to send them into the quarter-finals.
Unfortunately, Llorente had other ideas. Within three minutes of Firmino’s goal, the Spain international delivered a sucker-punch. Adrian should have dealt with his long-range effort but it snuck past the goalkeeper and into the net. Anfield was stunned.
Then, just eight minutes later, Llorente was at it again. Once more, Adrian should have done better, but the strike was well-hit and nestled into the net. Game over. Liverpool out.
To rub salt into the wounds, it was then reported that Llorente had decided to name his new dog ‘Anfield’ after his famous performance in the stadium [The Daily Mail]. No doubt he and Bobby will be having a few words about that if Al Ahli get this one over the line!