Champions League video highlights: Oxlade-Chamberlain scores wonder goal for Liverpool and Chelsea stun Ajax
Jurgen Klopp praises the England midfielder after his brace sets up victory in Genk
Champions League group E: KRC Genk 1 Liverpool 4
Liverpool thrashed Genk 4-1 in Belgium but the Champions League holders still sit second in group E after Napoli’s 3-2 win at RB Salzburg.
The Italians are top on seven points, one more than the Reds, and the group winner will likely be decided when Liverpool host Napoli at Anfield on 27 November.
The Ox is on fire
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The architect of Liverpool’s win was Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. Absent for most of last season with a knee injury, the England midfielder scored twice in Genk, including a delicious strike with the outside of his boot that mesmerised team-mates as well as opponents.
“Oxlade-Chamberlain’s goals were brilliant, and very important,” said Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp. “We’re really pleased for him, it was a big step.”
Super Sunday
Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah also got on the scoresheet, while the hosts scored a late consolation goal through Stephen Odey.
The night belonged to Liverpool, who returned to winning ways after being held to a 1-1 draw at Manchester United at the weekend.
Next up for Klopp’s team is Tottenham on Sunday, and the Liverpool boss can’t wait to welcome them to Anfield after their thumping win on Tuesday against Red Star.
“We’ve just had two away games that were both difficult for different reasons,” he said. “I don’t know where we are now but I know where we need to be on Sunday.
“It’s a refreshed Tottenham… but we’re a different team to Red Star Belgrade, just like Tottenham are different to Genk.”
Group H: Ajax 0 Chelsea 1
Chelsea stunned Ajax with a 1-0 victory in Amsterdam that has thrown group H wide open.
Michy Batshuayi scored the only goal of the game, coming off the bench to net the winner four minutes from time.
The result means that Ajax and Chelsea both have six points and Valencia have four. Lille, who drew 1-1 with Valencia, have just one point.
The west London club host the Dutch side for their return fixture at Stamford Bridge on 5 November.
Beautiful baby blues
Ajax had their chances but VAR denied Quincy Promes’s strike in the first half for offside and Edson Alvarez headed against the post in the second-half.
Otherwise the Blues did a good job at taking the sting from last season’s Champions League semi-finalists.
For Chelsea manager Frank Lampard, the result was a vindication of his determination to rebuild the Chelsea squad, using the club’s younger players as the foundations.
“The young players are still babies in terms of Champions League minutes so this was a huge test for them,” said Lampard, who took over the reins at Stamford Bridge in the summer.
“I think we’re allowed to be excited tonight. That’s the blueprint. There are no excuses for us now. That’s the standard and we can’t drop it.”
Today’s back pages
Frank Lampard’s Chelsea ‘babies’ come of age
Matchday three results
Videos courtesy of BT Sport: all Uefa Champions League matches are shown live in the UK on BT Sport
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
4 ways to give back this holiday season
The Explainer If your budget is feeling squeezed, remember that money is not the only way you can be generous around the holidays
By Becca Stanek, The Week US Published
-
4 tips for hosting an ecofriendly Thanksgiving
The Week Recommends Coming together for the holidays typically produces a ton of waste, but with proper preparation, you can have an environmentally friendly gathering.
By Theara Coleman, The Week US Published
-
Jussie Smollet conviction overturned on appeal
Speed Read The Illinois Supreme Court overturned the actor's conviction on charges of staging a racist and homophobic attack against himself in 2019
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Thomas Tuchel to become next England football manager
Speed Read 'Divisive' German coach hopes to lead the men's team to victory
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
The 'Swiss model' shaking up the Champions League
In The Spotlight Uefa says the new format offers 'greater excitement' but critics say boredom is guaranteed
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
The European Super League: a 90th-minute reprieve?
Why everyone's talking about A European court ruling has potentially breathed new life into the breakaway football league
By Richard Windsor, The Week UK Published
-
‘Genuine visionary’: is Pep Guardiola the greatest of all time?
feature Spaniard has now won two trebles following Man City’s Champions League triumph
By The Week Staff Published
-
Champions League final: Man City vs. Inter predictions and preview
feature Can Guardiola’s team finally win the Champions League and complete a historic treble?
By Mike Starling Last updated
-
Liverpool 7 Man Utd 0: ‘welcome to Jürgen Klopp’s Liverpool 2.0’
feature Anfield’s ‘new front three’ were on fire in the humbling of their bitter rivals
By Mike Starling Published
-
Has Liverpool been weakened by Jürgen Klopp’s ‘seven-year itch’?
feature After seven years at Anfield, critics are wondering whether his magic is wearing off
By The Week Staff Published
-
Premier League all-star game: ‘incredibly arrogant’ or natural ‘evolution’?
Talking Point Managers and pundits dismiss US-inspired idea from Chelsea co-owner
By Chas Newkey-Burden Published