The afternoon was prolific on the football pitches across the Channel. Less than a week after their surprise defeat against a Manchester United in the red lantern position (2-1), the men of Jürgen Klopp reacted this weekend by crushing the promoted Bournemouth nine goals to nil. No less than six Reds have their names on the scoreboard, including Colombian winger Luis Diaz who opened the scoring in the 3rd minute of play and closed the Liverpool festival.
Roberto Firmino also netted a brace while Harvey Elliott, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil Van Dijk and Fabio Carvalho opened their league scoring tally this season. In the Premier League standings, Liverpool temporarily moved up eight places to eighth place, just behind the Red Devils who won by the narrowest margin against Southampton (1-0) earlier in the day.
Haaland sends a message to the Premier League
A sensational recruit from Manchester City during the summer transfer window, the Norwegian striker is the subject of immense expectations after his early records on the European scene in the jerseys of Salzburg and then Borussia Dortmund. Author of a double on the first day of the championship against West Ham, Erling Haaland had only touched eight small balls during the following meeting against Bournemouth, despite an assist.
After reviving in the spectacular draw on Newcastle’s lawn last weekend (3-3) with a goal, Haaland again activated “cyborg” mode on Saturday afternoon. The 22-year-old striker found the net three times as the Citizens toppled a Crystal Palace side who were two goals down at half-time. Thanks to this victory four goals to two, the men of Pep Guardiola regain the lead of the Premier League while awaiting the result of Arsenal against Fulham. Erling Haaland, meanwhile, is already well established at the top of the English Championship scorers’ charts with six goals.