The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Rampant Reds.
Guardiola’s City maintain winning start as Spurs frustrate Ronaldo and Co in Madrid
Roberto Firmino celebrates after scoring in Liverpool’s record-breaking 7-0 Champions League victory over Slovenian side Maribor last night.
MARIBOR 0 LIVERPOOL 7
Liverpool finally found their form in front of goal in a record-breaking 7-0 European away victory against hapless Maribor last night and finally kick-start their Champions League campaign.
The Reds’ front three of Mohamed Salah (two), Roberto Firmino and Philippe Coutinho got the goals as they put their opponents to the sword in the first half with Firmino adding a fifth shortly after the break and deadline-day signing Alex Oxladechamberlain scoring his first for the club late on followed by Trent Alexander-arnold’s deflected added time effort.
Their previous best win away from home in Europe had been 5-0 – against Reykjavik in 1964, Crusaders in 1976 and Haka in 2001 – but the Slovenians made that record easy to beat.
Maribor coach Darko Milanic had a horrendous 32 days in charge of Leeds in 2014 but in the Stadion Ljudski his pain was all concentrated in the opening 40 minutes.
Liverpool’s pent-up frustration of one win in their last eight matches was released thanks to shambolic opponents, second in the Slovenian League two points behind Olimpija Ljubljana – coached by former Liverpool midfielder Igor Biscan, who offered far too much time and space to what can, on its day, be a devastating forward line.
It was Liverpool’s first away win in the Champions League since the 1-0 victory against Debrecen in November 2009 when David Ngog scored the only goal.
On that occasion it could not prevent their exit from the competition.
By contrast this result may be the one which gives them the push towards the knockout stage as, after two disappointing draws, they now top Group E on goal difference from Spartak Moscow with a return game against Maribor in a fortnight a chance to strengthen their position.
MANCHESTER CITY 2 NAPOLI 1
Early goals from Raheem Sterling and Gabriel Jesus saw Manchester City maintain their winning start in the Champions League with a 2-1 victory over Napoli.
City struck twice in the opening 13 minutes at the Etihad Stadium to set themselves up for a result that lifted them six points clear of the Serie A leaders, and their supposed chief rivals, in Group F.
Napoli hit back strongly with Dries Mertens having a penalty saved before Amadou Diawara did score from the spot, but City survived a nervy finish.
Pep Guardiola’s men arguably should have put the game beyond reach in the opening half-hour, as Kevin De Bruyne also hit the bar and Jesus was denied a second on the line.
A jubilant Guardiola felt City needed to be “perfect” to extend their winning run after reiterating his belief that Napoli are among the best sides in European football.
REAL MADRID 1 TOTTENHAM 1
Harry Kane was the headline act but Hugo Lloris stole the show as the Frenchman’s stunning save helped earn Tottenham a 1-1 draw with Real Madrid.
Spurs took a surprise lead at the Santiago Bernabeu through Raphael Varane’s own goal, only for Cristiano Ronaldo to level from the penalty spot after Serge Aurier had fouled Toni Kroos.
From there, however, Mauricio Pochettino’s men had Lloris to thank as the goalkeeper denied Karim Benzema from four yards with his legs, when the striker looked certain to score.
On-form England captain Kane could have even have won it for Tottenham late on when his finish was pushed wide by Keylor Navas but the visitors will be delighted with what could prove an invaluable point in Champions League Group H.