Steven Gerrard lost his first match in charge of Al-Ettifaq after being beaten 2-0 by a strong Al-Hilal side in Riyadh.
2023/2024 Saudi Professional League
2-0
Match Report
The visitors, captained by Jordan Henderson, were unable to fight their way back into proceedings after first-half goals from Malcom and Salem Aldawsari.
Victory moves Al-Hilal to within two points of Saudi Pro League leaders Al-Ittihad, while Al-Ettifaq remain fifth with just seven points from four matches.
Gerrard is now winless in his last two matches in charge of one of Saudi Arabia's biggest clubs amidst a difficult start to managerial life in the Middle East.
The hosts handed a first home start to former Fulham striker Aleksandr Mitrovic after he scored on his debut with a trademark header following his £50m move, however they are still waiting to give Neymar his first outing while the Brazilian recovers from injury.
Meanwhile, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic was suspended after being sent off in their 4-0 away win over Al-Raed last time out, but were further strengthened by ex-Chelsea defender Kalidou Koulibaly and former Wolves midfielder Ruben Neves.
Henderson led out Al-Ettifaq in his first away clash after recovering from a short-term illness, but struggled early on as Al-Hilal struck twice in the first-half.
Brazilian striker Malcom fired the hosts ahead in the 24th minute after being played through by Mitrovic following some neat build-up play.
The 26-year-old latched onto a through-ball and finished with a powerful strike across the face of goal into the bottom corner.
Matters were made worse for Gerrard's team when Aldawsari doubled the hosts' lead just four minutes before half-time with a brilliant strike.
A bouncing ball ricocheted around the penalty area before falling to the 32-year-old who rifled a scissor-kick finish past the Al-Ettifaq goalkeeper.
The visitors attempted to respond with late substitutions but lacked potency in the final third as the hosts wrapped up a comfortable win.
Line-ups
Al Hilal XI: Koulibaly, Yasir Al Shahrani, Bounou, Salem Al Dawsari, Mitrovic, Neves, Mohammed Kanoo, Malcom, Ali Albulayhi, Michael, Saud Abdulhamid
Subs: Abdullah Al Maiouf, Salman Al Faraj, Mohammed Jahfali, Mohammed Al Burayk, Nasser Al-Dawsari, Abdullah Al-Hamdan, Khalifah Al-Dawsari, Hamad Al-Yami, Mohammed Al-Qahtani
Al Ettifaq XI: Henderson, Paulo Victor, Vitinho, Quaison, Ali Abdullah Hazazi, Jack Hendry, Hamdan Al-Shammrani, Berat Özdemir, Abdullah Khateeb, Faisal Al-Ghamdi, Sanousi Al-Hawsawi
Subs: Abdullah Al-Oaisher, Mohammed Al-Kuwaykibi, Hamed Al-Ghamdi, Mohammed Al-Dawsari, Ahmed Al-Ghamdi, Jaber Qarradi, Mohammed Mahzari, Mishal Al-Alaeli, Mohamed Abdulrahman