If Cristiano Ronaldo doesn't get you, Anderson Talisca will! Saudi Pro League winners and losers as CR7's partner in crime at Al-Nassr fires again - but things are getting no better for Karim Benzema and Al-Ittihad

Filling the Neymar-shaped hole in Al-Hilal's line up was never going to be straightforward after the Brazilian went down with a serious knee injury. But if the ex-Barcelona star's absence has benefitted anyone, it is Sergej Milinkovic-Savic.

The Serbia midfielder has been given the licence to roam forward and act as more of a creative hub since Neymar was ruled out, and he put in his best performance since arriving from Lazio in Friday's win over Al-Ahli.

The dye was cast early, as Milinkovic-Savic netted inside the first minute for the second-fastest goal in Hilal history, and from there he pulled the strings as Jorge Jesus' team tightened their grip on top spot.

Milinkovic-Savic's partnership with Ruben Neves promised much when they were paired together over the summer, and the duo are certainly delivering on their potential, and are almost certainly the best partnership in the Pro League.

Despite Al-Ahli's loss to Al-Hilal, there were some elements that will have pleased coach Matthias Jaissle,most notably the performance of Riyad Mahrez, who continues to show his best form after a slow start of the campaign.

Unfortunately, the same can't be said for Mahrez's fellow summer signing, Roberto Firmino, who continues to toil away without showing much improvement. The ex-Liverpool striker hasn't scored since netting a hat-trick on the opening day of the season, and on Friday was one of the worst players on the pitch.

Questions continue to be asked as to whether Firmino should be kept in the line up given his lack of goals, and Jaissle is going to have to make a tough decision soon if this continues.

With Ronaldo around, it's hard for other members of the Al-Nassr squad to get their own moments in the limelight, but Anderson Talisca could hardly be doing more to deserve plenty of plaudits.

The Brazilian has been in superb scoring form, and netted twice in Saturday's win over Al-Feiha to take his tally for the season to 14 goals in 11 appearances across all competitions. His eight Pro League strikes are only bettered by Ronaldo (11) in 2023-24.

It seems laughable, then, that just a few weeks ago there were calls for Talisca to be kept on the bench due to him not being able to combine effectively with Ronaldo. Now, the pair have emerged as Saudi Arabia's most feared attacking duo.

It's now four Pro League games without a win for defending champions Al-Ittihad after they were twice pegged back in their 2-2 draw with Al-Hazm, with their hopes of repeating last season's success already beginning to evaporate.

Karim Benzema scored and assisted in their latest outing, but even the Ballon d'Or winner has been unable to lift Ittihad from a slumber that has left them eight points behind leaders Al-Hilal after just 11 matches.

Pressure continues to mount on manager Nuno Espirito Santo, and if this run continues, it's hard to see the ex-Tottenham boss lasting much longer in the dugout.

Nuno might be the most under-pressure former Premier League manager in the Pro League right now, but until Saturday, Steven Gerrard wasn't far behind after a run of three winless games for Al-Ettifaq.

It seemed like that was going to stretch to four, too, when Ettifaq found themselves 2-1 down to Al-Wehda with just five minutes left. However, they were not to be denied, as first Georginio Wijnaldum netted his second of the game to equalise before Demarai Gray stepped up in the ninth minute of stoppage-time to score his first goal for the club with the winner.

Gerrard, then, lives to fight another day - unlike his former Liverpool team-mate Robbie Fowler, who was sacked by Al-Qadsiah earlier this week.