Liverpool Bounce Back with 5-1 Win as Real Madrid, Bayern, and Chelsea Shine in Champions League

Liverpool ended their losing streak emphatically with a 5-1 win over Eintracht Frankfurt in the Champions League on Wednesday night. The victory not only restored confidence for the English champions but also showcased their attacking strength after four straight defeats in all competitions, including a 1-0 loss to Galatasaray in their previous European outing.

Rasmus Kristensen opened the scoring for the hosts, but Liverpool quickly turned the game around. Hugo Ekitike, who joined Liverpool from Eintracht in a £79 million deal last July, equalised against his former club. Virgil van Dijk then put the visitors ahead with a powerful header from a corner in the 39th minute, followed by another set-piece goal from Ibrahima Konate before halftime. Cody Gakpo and Dominik Szoboszlai sealed the win with two second-half goals, giving Liverpool 10 points in the 36-team league phase standings.

“I don’t know if it’s a statement but it is a win and something to build on,” Van Dijk told TNT Sports after the match.

How did other European giants perform?

Chelsea also delivered a dominant performance, thrashing Ajax 5-1 at Stamford Bridge in a game filled with drama. Ajax’s Kenneth Taylor received an early red card, setting the tone for a wild first half that included three penalties. Marc Guiu and Moises Caicedo gave Chelsea the lead before Wout Weghorst pulled one back for Ajax from the spot. Enzo Fernandez and Estevao then converted two penalties before halftime, while Tyrique George added a fifth in the second half. For the first time in Champions League history, three teenagers scored for the same team.

“We trust a lot of young players,” said Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca. “That is the strategy of the club, but not only the ones that we buy. Also the ones from the academy.”

Kane keeps scoring as Bayern and Real maintain perfect runs

Bayern Munich extended their perfect start to the campaign with a 4-0 win over Club Brugge. Seventeen-year-old Lennart Karl opened the scoring before Harry Kane, Luis Diaz, and Nicolas Jackson added their names to the scoresheet. Kane’s goal marked his 20th of the season in just 12 club appearances.

Real Madrid also maintained their flawless record, securing a narrow 1-0 victory over Juventus at the Santiago Bernabeu. Jude Bellingham scored his first goal of the season, converting after Vinicius Jr.’s shot hit the post. “I’m very happy with the win,” said goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. “It was a very tough game with chances at both ends and we had to sweat for it, but it was an important win against a big team.”

Elsewhere, Tottenham Hotspur were held to a 0-0 draw against Monaco, while Sporting Lisbon came from behind to beat Marseille 2-1 after a controversial red card. Galatasaray defeated Bodo/Glimt 3-1 with a brace from Victor Osimhen, and Athletic Bilbao overcame Qarabag 3-1 in San Mames.

The next round of Champions League fixtures in two weeks will feature blockbuster clashes between Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich, and Liverpool versus Real Madrid.

By Yockshard Enyendi