Liverpool Roar Back to Life with Five-Goal Thrashing of Frankfurt

Liverpool roared back to life after four straight defeats in the Premier League and UEFA Champions League, delivering a resounding 5-1 win over Germany’s Eintracht Frankfurt at the close of Match week 3 in the unified group stage of Europe’s top competition.

Frenchman Hugo Ekitike (35), Dutchman Virgil van Dijk (39), Frenchman Ibrahima Konaté (44), Dutchman Cody Gakpo (66), and Hungarian Dominik Szoboszlai (70) found the net for Liverpool, overturning an early strike from Denmark’s Rasmus Kristensen (26) that had given Frankfurt the lead.

Before this clash, Liverpool had fallen to Crystal Palace, Chelsea, and Manchester United in the league, and to Galatasaray in Europe. The biggest surprise against Frankfurt came when coach Arne Slot opted to bench Egyptian star Mohamed Salah, whose recent dip in form saw him replaced by former Frankfurt striker Ekitike — and the Frenchman justified the decision by scoring the equalizer. Salah was introduced for the final 20 minutes of the match.

Perfect Start for Real Madrid and Bayern

Meanwhile, both Real Madrid and Bayern Munich made it three wins from three. Madrid edged past Juventus 1-0, while Bayern dismantled Belgium’s Club Brugge 4-0.

At the Santiago Bernabéu, Los Blancos needed just one strike from their English sensation Jude Bellingham (57) to collect all three points, pushing their tally to nine. Juventus, still searching for a first win, remain stuck on two points in 25th place. 

The decisive moment came when Brazilian Vinícius Júnior weaved into the box and fired against the post, leaving Bellingham to pounce on the rebound and slot home.

At the Allianz Arena, Bayern delivered a ruthless attacking display, hammering four goals past their Belgian visitors. 

Teenager Lenart Karl (5) opened the scoring, Harry Kane doubled the lead (14), Luis Díaz added a third (34), and substitute Nicolas Jackson sealed the rout (69).

Bayern’s nine points keep them on a perfect record, level with Paris Saint-Germain, the reigning champions, as well as Inter Milan, Arsenal, and Real Madrid.

Elsewhere, Chelsea tore apart Dutch side Ajax 5-1 at Stamford Bridge, with five different players on the scoresheet. Reduced to 10 men after Kenneth Taylor’s dismissal in the 15th minute, Ajax could not cope with the onslaught.

Sporting Lisbon also made the most of a man advantage, overturning Marseille’s early lead to win 2-1 in Portugal.
Meanwhile, Nigerian forward Victor Osimhen drove Galatasaray to a 3-1 victory over Norway’s Bodø/Glimt with a brilliant brace.

AS Monaco and Tottenham Hotspur played out a cagey goalless draw.