Champions League Review: Liverpool blow Man City away, unstoppable Ronaldo and more

Liverpool couldn’t have asked for a better start to this all English encounter, when they found themselves 3-0 ahead just after the half-hour mark. Roberto Firmino prodded the ball into the path of Mohamed Salah after Kyle Walker failed to deal with it and Salah wasn’t going to miss for the opener.

James Milner’s strong challenge fell to Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who hit an exquisite strike past Ederson. It got even worse for Manchester City, when Salah’s cross was powered past the Brazilian goalkeeper from a sublime header by Sadio Mane.

Salah left the field in the 53^rd minute with a hamstring strain, which will be a huge concern for Jurgen Klopp with the Merseyside derby at the weekend and the return leg at the Etihad on Tuesday. City naturally improved in the second half, but they still didn’t really trouble Loris Karius.

Anfield was bouncing in an atmosphere that only European nights can produce. Pep Guardiola’s side still aren’t finished in this tie, but it’s Liverpool that have the control.

Ronaldo no longer in decline

It’s arguable that Cristiano Ronaldo was no longer the same force that he once was in the opening four months of the season. He still saved his best for the bigger matches, although he had scored just two La Liga goals in this period.

This wasn’t just about his goal scoring ability, there was a distinct drop in his overall contribution. Ronaldo’s impeccably high standards meant that he may have slipped off the podium containing Lionel Messi, but he was still one of the world’s greatest players alongside the likes of Neymar, Luis Suarez and Salah.

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However, he is back at his highest level in the last three months and is once more with his Argentine nemesis with 23 goals in his last 12 matches for Real Madrid. The attacker has naturally adjusted his game and is now more of a target man and poacher.

He became the first player to score in 10 consecutive Champions League games when he pounced inside three minutes at the Juventus Stadium. The Italians responded well in the first half and had opportunities of their own, although Toni Kroos saw an effort smashed off the crossbar.

Referee Cuneyt Cakir twice waved away penalty calls from Juventus, with Casemiro heavily involved on both occasions. The Brazilian handled the ball at first which was deemed accidental and then Paulo Dybala collapsed to the ground after the holding midfielder stuck out a leg with no contact.

Gigi Buffon recently described Ronaldo as “a real assassin” in front of goal and he was proven right in the most audacious of manners. An uncharacteristic misunderstanding between the Italian goalkeeper and Giorgi Chiellini saw Madrid take advantage.

Buffon appeared to have recovered when he saved from Lucas Vazquez, but Ronaldo had other ideas when he expertly scored an overhead kick just moments later. The home supporters incredibly stood to their feet and applauded the player that they had previously taken great delight in jeering.

He has now scored an incredible 445 goals in 430 appearances for Los Blancos. Dybala was sent-off shortly afterwards for a second yellow card, whilst Marcelo added a third away goal after some excellent link-up with Ronaldo yet again.

Barcelona still haven’t hit top gear in Europe

When Barcelona put three goals past Juventus on the first match-day, it seemed as though they would go from strength-to-strength in the competition. They have a nine-point lead in La Liga, but they still haven’t been at their fluid best in the Champions League even though they are on the verge of the last four.

It’s a frightening prospect for the rest of Europe, although it’s also a concern for Ernesto Valverde as they struggled to impose their philosophy upon Roma. Eusebio Sacristan’s team matched their opponents for the opening 45 minutes, but it was luck that ultimately made the difference.

Daniele De Rossi was first to have the misfortune just six minutes until the break, when Andres Iniesta’s pass was intercepted by the Roma captain, but diverted past Alisson who had no chance. Immediately after the restart Diego Perotti saw his header sail past the upright for Roma.

Barca increased their advantage when Samuel Umtiti hit the post but the rebound caught Kostas Manolas and went into his own net for the second own goal. Then, Luis Suarez saw his shot saved by Alisson but Gerard Pique was on-hand to tap-in.

Edin Dzeko used his physical prowess to fend off Jordi Alba before giving Roma a lifeline. However, Suarez capitalised on a defensive error from Roma to give Barca a 4-1 victory.

Sevilla let promising position slip

Sevilla face an uphill task to reach the semi-finals after they lost 2-1 at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan. They had been deservedly 1-0 ahead when Pablo Sarabia finished just after the half hour mark, although he appeared to have controlled the ball with his hand.

The midfielder had given Bayern Munich the warning signs when he completely missed the target with just 20 minutes gone. Sarabia forced a save from Sven Ulreich 10 minutes later and just 60 seconds before he broke the deadlock, as the former Real Madrid youth product looked eager to make amends after he missed the weekend action due his red card against Leganes before the international break.

Bayern equalised when Franck Ribery’s attempted cross took a huge deflection off Jesus Navas’ leg and sneaked past David Soria, who could only divert it onto the inside of his post and into the net. The 25-year-old goalkeeper was making his first start since December, with first choice Sergio Rico dropped following an unconvincing display in the 2-2 draw with Barcelona.

The German champions had beaten Borussia Dortmund 6-0 on Saturday and were perhaps struggling to lift their tempo having dispatched of Peter Stoger’s side so easily. They definitely improved after half-time and Javi Martinez came closest which forced an impressive stop from Soria.

However, Soria was wrong-footed once again, when Thiago Alcantara’s header caught Sergio Escudero. Sevilla now have to score twice at the Allianz-Arena in order to progress.