Roberto Firmino has made his playing return for Al-Ahli less than two weeks after the Liverpool legend was axed from the Saudi Pro League’s squad for the rest of the season. The Brazilian was dropped by manager Matthias Jaissle following the signing of Wenderson Galeno from Porto.

Saudi Pro League rules state clubs can register only 10 foreign players for their domestic campaign, with Galeno becoming the 12th such signing in the ranks at Al-Ahli. Consequently, the former Reds forward was dropped along with ex-Leeds United star Ezgjan Alioski.

“It was a difficult decision for the club and based on the rules," Jaissle said when explaining his choice. "We appreciate him and he dealt with it professionally. He’s still one of our leaders.”

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However, while the former Liverpool forward faces an uncertain future at the club as a result, he does remain eligible to play in the AFC Champions League.

And with Al-Ahli already through to the last 16, Firmino was recalled for the Saudi outfit’s final West Region league match against Al-Gharafa on Monday evening.

Named in a front four alongside Galeno, Ivan Toney and Riyad Mahrez, the 33-year-old also reclaimed the Al-Ahli captain’s armband following his return to the starting XI.

The Saudi Pro League side marked his return on social media by posting pictures of Firmino’s shirt in the dressing room, accompanied by the captain’s armband, along with the caption: “Captain BOBBY”.

Guaranteed a top three finish, Al-Ahli will face either the sixth, seventh or eighth-placed West Region side in the round-of-16.

With ties scheduled to take place on March 3-4 and March 10-11, Firmino could find himself eligible for knock-out matches despite being axed from Al-Ahli’s league squad. But with his side already eliminated from the King's Cup, that will remain the limit of his participation for the rest of the season.

The Brazilian’s appearance against Al-Gharafa was his 26th of the season. And he marked it by firing his side into the lead with his 10th goal of the season, sliding in to score a tap-in, having also returned five assists from his previous outings.

He was ineligible for league meetings with Al-Fateh and Al-Nassr prior to his AFC Champions League recall, having scored an astonishing bicycle kick in his last outing in the continental competition in a 3-1 victory over Al-Sadd at the start of the month.