Rodgers defiant despite first RSL defeat with Al Qadsiah | OneFootball

Understandably disappointed by a first defeat in the Roshn Saudi League, and to local rivals too, Brendan Rodgers underlined the work already done at Al Qadsiah - and, crucially, what was to come.

The Al Khobar club lost a see-saw Eastern Derby encounter on Sunday, the duel in Dammam proving one for the ages. Not only did it feature five goals - ultimately, Al Ettifaq triumphed 3-2 - but two red cards, with visitors Al Qadsiah concluding the clash with nine men.

Just after the half hour, Mohammed Abu Al Shamat saw red for a push on Ondrej Duda while, deep into injury-time, defensive partner Gaston Alvarez was sent off when lunging for the ball. That punishment arrived immediately after Nacho’s 95th-minute equaliser was chalked off following a VAR review.

Nacho's 95th-minute equaliser at Al Ettifaq was ruled out for a foul in the build-up

So, having gone 17 RSL matches unbeaten since his "landmark" Al Qadsiah appointment - a club record - and boasting a 76 percent win rate, Rodgers was left to rue a first reverse.

However, that didn’t mean he was rocked by it.

“I want to, first of all, give a huge amount of credit to my players,” the former Celtic and Liverpool manager said. “And there's two parts to this. Firstly, the game, because we didn't deserve to lose; we certainly did not deserve to have two players sent off.

“So, we're very, very frustrated with the decision - especially the second one with Gaston - but, in the second half, the players were so brave. They kept pushing, kept fighting, kept running, and their quality deserved to get something from the game. So, from the game perspective, I don't feel we deserve the defeat.”

Rodgers then added: “On the bigger picture, I arrived here in the middle of December, and to sit here with the first defeat, it gives me great pride in all the work that we've done, and how hard the players have worked, and how good they have been.

“And now we have to recover from this game. We're still in a really, really good position to challenge, especially the two teams above us, and we will fight to the very end.”

Don’t though, misinterpret that as any concession in this gripping RSL title race.

Yes, the derby defeat meant Al Qadsiah slipped further behind leaders Al Nassr: with seven rounds remaining, and although they stay fourth on 60 points, they now lie 10 points off the summit. Between them are Al Hilal and Al Ahli, both locked on 65 points after differing results in Matchweek 27.

That all said, Rodgers isn’t ruling out anything just yet.

“No, no,” he said. “It means that the two teams are above us, you have to get ahead of them. And if you get ahead of those two, then you look to the next team.

“[The derby] was, like I said, an amazing effort by the players. When I went back to the changing room, I spoke about the game and how we can be better, but I also thanked them for an amazing effort over these last three and a half months - and to say we still have so much to play for.

“It's obviously always disappointing to lose, and it's my first feeling of losing since we arrived here in Saudi Arabia. But what was key for me [against Al Ettifaq] was the spirit of my players, how they kept fighting. And we still have a lot of football to play.

"So, over these remaining games, we have lots to play for, lots to push for, and we are very optimistic and want to finish the season really strong.”