Just three rounds of “league” play remain in this season’s edition of the UEFA Champions League following the conclusion of Matchday 5 on Wednesday.
Liverpool — the best team in all of Europe under new manager Arne Slot — and current trophy holder (and recored 15-time winner) Real Madrid contested what was billed as the game of the first round at Anfield. The Reds took all three points and reclaimed their first-place status with a convincing 2-0 win to stay perfect through November.
Elsewhere in England, Aston Villa and Italian power Juventus finished scoreless. Meantime, Bundesliga and La Liga teams suffered surprising defeats against less-fancied foes, while Borussia Dortmund, Lille and Shakhtar Donetsk all won tricky games on the road.
Here are three quick thoughts…
