Former Liverpool forward Roberto Firmino scored a debut hat-trick in the opening game of the Saudi Pro League season as Al-Ahli beat Al-Hazm.

He headed in a cross and then slotted in at the back post after a great ball from former Manchester City winger Riyad Mahrez after 10 minutes.

The Brazilian bundled in a third after his initial header was saved.

Al-Hazm had briefly made it 2-1 with Vina lobbing Edouard Mendy after the keeper had gifted him the ball.

Firmino, Mahrez and ex-Chelsea keeper Mendy were three of the many big names who have moved to the Saudi Pro League for this new season.

The weekend's other games are spread over the next three days.

Al-Ahli and Al-Hazm were the top two in the Saudi second tier last season, winning promotion. Al-Ahli were one of four teams taken over by the country's Public Investment Fund this summer, and have recruited heavily, but Al-Hazm do not have any household names.

Former Roma defender Roger Ibanez, ex-Barcelona midfielder Franck Kessie and former Newcastle winger Allan Saint-Maximin were among the other players making their Saudi league debuts for Al-Ahli.

Line-ups Al-Ahli Formation 4-2-3-1

27Majrashi3Ibanez da Silva37Hindi11Alioski

30Al Marwani Al Johani79Kessie

7Mahrez9Boudebouz97Saint-Maximin

16Mendy 27Majrashi 3Ibanez da Silva 37HindiBooked at 87mins 11Alioski 30Al Marwani Al JohaniSubstituted forAl Aliat 83'minutes 79KessieSubstituted forAl Nabit Al Baqaawiat 90+2'minutes 7MahrezSubstituted forAl Rashidiat 66'minutes 9BoudebouzSubstituted forAl Majhadat 66'minutes 97Saint-MaximinSubstituted forAl Lajm Al Asmariat 90+2'minutes 10Firmino Substitutes 1Al Sanbi 6Al Hurayji 8Al Nabit Al Baqaawi 13Al Barakati Al Zubaidi 19Al Rashidi 26Al Hamad 29Al Majhad 40Al Lajm Al Asmari 77Al Ali Al-Hazm Formation 5-3-2

61Al Otaibi5Tanker3Al Absi99Al Mhemaid24Al Rabei Al Shammari

6Al Sayyali21Traore20Pinheiro de Carvalho

29Goes Barbosa de Souza7Al Mozairib Al Shammari

30Dahmen 61Al Otaibi 5TankerSubstituted forAl Habashiat 33'minutes 3Al Absi 99Al MhemaidBooked at 20mins 24Al Rabei Al ShammariSubstituted forAl Absiat 70'minutes 6Al SayyaliSubstituted forAl Najjarat 70'minutes 21TraoreSubstituted forAl Thaniat 49'minutes 20Pinheiro de Carvalho 29Goes Barbosa de Souza 7Al Mozairib Al ShammariBooked at 13minsSubstituted forAl Bakrat 71'minutes Substitutes 11Al Thani 13Al Bakr 14Al Absi 15Al Najjar 19Al Habashi 23Zaid Al Malki 66Al Mutairi Referee: Khalid Saleh Al-Turais Attendance: 24,006 Match Stats