By Shaffie A Mtambo
After weeks of frustration, English giants Liverpool rediscovered their form on Wednesday night with emphatic 5–1 victories in the UEFA Champions League.
Liverpool’s triumph over Eintracht Frankfurt at Anfield marked their first win in 30 days, ending a worrying run that had left fans anxious and demanding a response.
The Reds delivered in style, displaying a mix of discipline, hunger and flair that reminded supporters of their glory days.
Goals came from Hugo Ekitike, Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konaté, Cody Gakpo and Dominik Szoboszlai a lineup of scorers that reflected Liverpool’s teamwork rather than reliance on a single player.
Despite the joy, the night wasn’t without concern, as forward Alexander Isak limped off with what appeared to be a hamstring injury.
At Stamford Bridge, Chelsea produced a statement performance of their own, thrashing Ajax 5–1 in front of their home fans. The game swung in Chelsea’s favor after Ajax midfielder Kenneth Taylor was sent off in the 15th minute, forcing the visitors to defend deep against relentless attacks.
Moisés Caicedo, Enzo Fernández, Estêvão Willian, Marc Guiu and Tyrique George all found the net for Chelsea, while Ajax managed a consolation goal from the penalty spot.
The result restored optimism among the Blues faithful and reaffirmed Chelsea’s strength as reigning Club World Cup champions.
Elsewhere in Europe, AS Monaco played out a goalless draw with Tottenham Hotspur in a match defined by solid defending and missed opportunities. Real Madrid edged Juventus 1–0 at the Santiago Bernabéu, Bayern Munich dismantled Club Brugge 4–0, and Sporting CP came from behind to beat Marseille 2–1.
The commanding wins by Liverpool and Chelsea sent a clear message across Europe that English football remains a force to reckon with in this year’s Champions League campaign.