In a gesture reflecting his professionalism and unwavering commitment to Al-Ahli Saudi FC, Senegalese goalkeeper Edouard Mendy went directly to the club's training grounds to participate in the session immediately upon his arrival in Jeddah on Friday. This move comes in preparation for the upcoming match against NEOM FC on Saturday evening, as part of the 18th round of the Saudi Professional League, underscoring the player's dedication and desire to support his team during this crucial stage of the season.

Professional context and a rich history

Edouard Mendy, 33, is one of the world's most prominent goalkeepers. He joined Al-Ahli in the summer of 2023 from Chelsea in a high-profile transfer. His move was part of a wave of international stars joining the Saudi Pro League, which has raised the level of competition and media attention surrounding the tournament. Mendy's career is full of achievements, most notably winning the FIFA Best Goalkeeper award in 2021, leading Chelsea to the UEFA Champions League title that same year, and winning the historic 2021 Africa Cup of Nations with Senegal, the first title in the history of the "Lions of Teranga.".

Mendy's importance to Al Ahly and his expected impact

Mendy's absence from Al Ahli's lineup during the past period due to international duty had a clear impact, as he missed eight matches. His swift return demonstrates his crucial importance to the team, which is striving to compete strongly for the league title. This season, Mendy has participated in 18 matches for Al Ahli, keeping a clean sheet in seven of them, while conceding 20 goals. His presence provides the defense with significant confidence and stability, something the team desperately needs amidst the fierce competition for the top spots. Al Ahli currently occupies third place in the Roshan League standings with 37 points, only behind Al Nasr in second place on goal difference, making every upcoming match a final where dropping points is unacceptable.

Mendy’s commitment to immediately joining the training sessions not only enhances the team’s technical readiness, but also sends a strong message to his teammates and the fans about the sense of responsibility and seriousness that the team’s stars possess, which bodes well for a future stage full of challenges and great ambitions for Al-Ahly Club in its quest to return to the podium.

Al-Qadisiyah, one of the top contenders in the Saudi Professional League, continued their impressive run this season, securing a valuable 2-1 victory over Al-Ittihad. This win wasn't just three more points for the team; it also marked a significant milestone for veteran Irish manager Brendan Rodgers, who equaled a remarkable club record.

The overall context and Rodgers' immediate impact

Since taking over as manager last December, succeeding Spaniard Michel Gonzalez, Rodgers has brought about a tangible transformation in the team's performance. In the seven matches he has managed so far, the team remains undefeated, starting with a draw against Damac, followed by a run of six consecutive league victories. This achievement reflects the clear tactical imprint of the Irish coach, renowned for his ability to develop players and build a cohesive team system, which is evident in the improved technical and mental level of Al-Qadisiyah's players.

Historical number equation

With his sixth consecutive victory, Brendan Rodgers equaled the league record for consecutive wins, previously held by his predecessor, Michel Gonzalez. The Spanish coach had led the team to an impressive run of eight straight wins in all competitions during the 2024/25 season, including six league victories against Damac, Al-Wehda, Al-Ettifaq, Al-Fayha, Al-Nassr, and Al-Khaleej. This record set a high bar for any successor, but Rodgers quickly proved his worth, confirming that the club's management had made the right choice in appointing him to lead their ambitious sporting project.

The importance of achievement in the league race

These positive results take on added significance given the fierce competition in the Saudi Professional League, which has become a destination for the world's top players and coaches. Thanks to this run, Al-Qadisiyah has jumped to fourth place in the standings with 36 points, just one point behind Al-Ahli in third and Al-Nassr in second, while trailing league leaders Al-Hilal by eight points. This close competition intensifies the battle for the top spots and establishes Al-Qadisiyah as a force to be reckoned with in the race for a continental qualification place.

Looking to the future: An opportunity to break the record

Now, all eyes are on the near future, where Rodgers has a golden opportunity to break the record. In their next match, in the 18th round, Al-Qadsia will face bottom-of-the-table Al-Najma, a match that seems theoretically within reach for breaking the record, especially considering Al-Qadsia's 3-0 victory in the first leg. If they win, the team will face a true test of their abilities when they host league leaders Al-Hilal in a highly anticipated match in the 19th round on January 29th, a match that will be a true measure of the team's progress under Rodgers' leadership.

Klopp's confidence in the current squad

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has confirmed he does not expect to make any new signings during the January transfer window, emphasizing his complete confidence in the current squad to face upcoming challenges ahead of their crucial Premier League match against Bournemouth. Klopp's comments come at a critical time for the team, which is suffering from a significant shortage of defenders due to a series of injuries and absences.

In the pre-match press conference, Klopp explained the nature of the January transfer market, which is often complex and difficult to find players of the required quality. He told reporters, “I expect us to keep the current squad… but if a suitable opportunity arises, the club will consider it as usual.” This statement reflects Liverpool’s usual strategy under Klopp, which focuses on building a cohesive team and avoiding impulsive signings, while having faith in the available players and their ability to perform at their best.

Background to the crisis and the impact of absences

Liverpool are going through a challenging period, particularly defensively. Long-term injuries to Joel Matip, Andy Robertson, and Kostas Tsimikas have significantly reduced Jürgen Klopp's options. The team is also missing defender Ibrahima Konaté, who is on leave for personal reasons following the death of his father, further deepening the crisis. The absences aren't limited to defense; the midfield and attack are also affected, with Egyptian star Mohamed Salah away on international duty at the Africa Cup of Nations and Japanese forward Wataru Endo away at the Asian Cup, depriving the team of two key players.

The importance of Salah's return and its expected impact

Despite the challenges, recent days have brought positive news with Mohamed Salah's return to Liverpool midweek after suffering a muscle injury while on international duty with Egypt. Although his return was to complete his rehabilitation program, his mere presence is a huge morale boost for the team. Salah boasts an exceptional scoring record against Bournemouth, having netted 12 goals in 12 appearances against them, making any opportunity for him to feature, even as a substitute, a valuable asset for Klopp. Regarding his readiness, the German manager said, "I know Mo very well, and he is ready to play," but indicated that he would wait until the end of the final training session to make his final decision on the starting lineup, leaving the door open for a pleasant surprise for the Reds' fans.

Confidence in facing difficulties

Despite limited options and no new signings, Klopp insisted his players have responded brilliantly to the demanding demands of the season so far. Liverpool come into the match on an impressive 13-game unbeaten run in all competitions, reflecting the fighting spirit and steely mentality Klopp has instilled in the squad. He expressed confidence in his team's ability to continue competing strongly on all fronts, saying: "It's difficult to predict the future... but we are a very strong team against any team in the world." Liverpool will be looking to maintain their momentum at the top of the Premier League and demonstrate their ability to overcome adversity.