'Stay humble' - Rodgers on Al Qadsiah title bid & team's own Raheem Sterling

Al Qadsiah are thriving with new manager Brendan Rodgers, although he’s not declaring them to be in the Roshn Saudi League title race - at least not yet.

“We have to stay very humble,” Rodgers said after Al Qadsiah reeled off a fourth successive victory with Wednesday’s 5-0 win at home to Al Fayha. “I've been very, very pleased with the reaction from the team. They have taken on board our ideas very quickly and been very brave in how I'm asking them to play.”

That much is evident. Since Rodgers replaced Michel in the dugout last month, Al Qadsiah are unbeaten in five RSL matches, his introduction to the Saudi Arabian top flight the 1-1 draw at home to Damac.

However, then came victories against Al Shabab, Al Riyadh, Al Nassr - their standout result of the 2025-26 RSL - and Al Fayha. Heading into Matchweek 16, Al Qadsiah sit fifth in the table, although they lie one point off second and eight back from leaders Al Hilal.

“There's still such a long way to go in this season,” Rodgers reminded. “And for me, if we can keep improving and developing and doing the very best we can, then let's see where it takes us to the end.”

The greatest improvement of the Rodgers’ reign thus far has, clearly, been in attack. In those four recent wins, Al Qadsiah have plundered 14 goals, averaging 3.5 per game. For comparison, that metric measured 1.8 goals this season up until Michel’s departure.

Al Qadsiah, and Rodgers, have stated right from the off that the Northern Irishman was brought in to establish a more offensive style of play at the Al Khobar club.

“When we arrived, some of the issues were around scoring goals,” Rodgers said. “Because the team is defensively strong and we've implemented very quickly our idea of attacking football - but always to maintain the balance.

“And we have been able to see that in our first few games. Scoring five goals [against Al Fayha] is fantastic, but conceding no goals, for me, is also really good.

“We've given the team a structure and a balance to really go and attack the game and attack the box, but our balance behind the ball is also good as well.

“We have lots of improvements to make and lots of development. But, in this short period of time, I've been really pleased with the output of the team.”

A particularly gratifying point from Wednesday was Eyad Houssa marking his RSL debut with a goal. The Saudi teenager, 19, bagged the hosts’ fourth of the night with a fine half-volley, much to Rodgers’ delight.

Afterwards, the former Liverpool and Celtic manager was reminded that he helped guide a young Raheem Sterling through his early years in the Anfield club’s senior team. Sterling would go on, of course, to become a four-time English Premier League winner and represented the England national team more than 80 times.

“All my career, I've given young players the opportunity,” Rodgers said. “Raheem was a special talent at 17 years of age, when I put him in the team, and he's had an amazing career.

“So, I've always looked for young players and, with Eyad, I like his talent. When I see his attitude and commitment in training, I always have this feeling to give a young player that hope and opportunity.

“So, for him to come in and take his opportunity and score a fantastic goal, I’m pleased for him and pleased for his family and pleased for all the great work that goes on in the academy.

“I don't know if he's going to be like Raheem Sterling, but he has taken his first step really well. And now he has to stay humble and keep learning.”

Al Qadsiah are back in action on Sunday, with the trip to Al Hazem.