Liverpool & City far from perfect in opening UCL wins

English sides Liverpool and Manchester City both got off to tricky starts in their 2020/21 Champions League campaigns, but came away with three points in very different manors.

In Amsterdam, Liverpool’s Adrian looked shaky again from the off against Ajax, but his side grew into confidence before a wayward Sadio Mané shot in the 35th minute took a huge deflection off of Nicolás Tagliafico for the game’s opener.

Ajax were nearly level soon after when Dušan Tadić lobbed an out of position Adrian, but midfielder Fabinho, filling in at centre back following Virgil van Dijk’s long-term injury, produced a fine overhead clearance to keep Liverpool ahead.

The Reds had chances in the second half, mainly through Mohamed Salah and substitute Diogo Jota, but an impressive display from 20-year-old defender Perr Schuurs made it a nervy ending for eventual winners Liverpool.

Elsewhere, Portuguese champions, FC Porto, took a surprising yet easily crafted 14th minute lead against Manchester City through Luiz Diaz, but City soon struck back from the penalty spot with Sergio Aguero firing home.

Kyle Walker had to make a goal-line clearance of his own to cap off a very sloppy first-half display, but after İlkay Gündoğan’s second half go-ahead goal, Porto barely had a chance despite a feisty and aggressive display that was ended Ferran Torres’ insurance goal.

In the other late kick-offs, Champions Bayern Munich hammered a sorry looking Atletico Madrid with a stunning long range goal from Corentin Tolisso, while Romelu Lukaku scored a brace in Inter’s 2-2 draw with Gladbach, and free scoring Atalanta pumped four past newbies Midtjylland.

⏰ RESULTS ⏰

🤩 Goals, goals and more goals!

😱 Shakhtar, Bayern & Atalanta claim big wins

🤔 Who impressed you most?#UCL

— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) October 21, 2020