La Liga
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Victorious Liverpool and Struggling Man United: A Tale of Champions and Challengers

Salah was the match-winner for Liverpool again on Sunday

Liverpool has started the season with impressive form, securing their fourth consecutive victory in the Premier League, while some of their competitors continue to face challenges. In France, Ethan Mbappe marked his professional debut with a goal for Lille, while his older brother captivated Real Madrid supporters once more.

## Winners: Liverpool

With a perfect score of 12 points from four games, Liverpool appears to be in a strong position to defend their Premier League title as they move into the latter part of the season. Although many matches still lie ahead, it’s clear that the reigning champions are the team to beat in the league.

Arne Slot’s squad displayed dominance against Burnley on Sunday, although it took a penalty from Mohamed Salah to secure the win. The late moment of victory was a relief for the Reds, showcasing their unyielding mental resilience. This is not the first time they’ve clinched a match in the dying minutes; much like the iconic Manchester United from Sir Alex Ferguson’s era, Slot’s Liverpool team has a knack for clutch performances.

Notably, no Premier League club has ever won four matches in a row with decisive goals scored in the last ten minutes.

## Losers: Manchester United

Things are looking bleak for Manchester United, who have recorded one of their poorest starts to a season in the last 33 years. Following a 3-0 loss to their local rivals Manchester City on Sunday, Ruben Amorim’s team finds themselves languishing in 14th place with only four points from four matches. The lack of progress has heightened tensions, leading many to believe that the Portuguese manager’s position is increasingly precarious.

As a challenging fixture against Chelsea looms, the upcoming matches are likely to exacerbate the current distress within the club.

## Winners: Ethan and Kylian Mbappe

One of the standout narratives from the weekend in Ligue 1 was Ethan Mbappe, the youngest member of the Mbappe family, who led Lille to victory. Scoring his first professional goal helped elevate Lille to second place in the league standings. This achievement was particularly special for the 18-year-old as it marked his inaugural score in professional football.

In contrast, his elder brother Kylian showcased his talent during Real Madrid’s match against Real Sociedad, where he scored the opening goal and provided an assist for Arda Guler, all while playing with ten men. With this performance, Kylian and Real Madrid have firmly established themselves at the top of La Liga with a perfect record so far.

## Loser: Marcus Thuram

In Serie A, a sibling rivalry unfolded as Marcus Thuram faced off against his brother Kephren in a contentious derby match between Inter and Juventus. The game saw Juventus emerge victorious with a thrilling 4-3 scoreline, featuring a last-minute goal from 19-year-old Vasilije Adzic. Despite Marcus scoring Inter’s third goal, it was Kephren who shined brighter during this match-up, as Juventus secured their win and a strong position in the league.

## Winner: Bayern Munich

Bayern Munich has kicked off the season in formidable form, with no signs of letting up. With an attacking lineup that includes Harry Kane and Serge Gnabry, they showcased their power during a decisive 5-0 victory against Hamburg at the Allianz Arena. This match marked their first meeting in seven years, and as always, Bayern delivered a strong performance.

Looking ahead, Chelsea will visit Bayern for their Champions League opener, and many across Europe are eager to see how far this powerful Bayern squad can go this season.

## Loser: Valencia

The final team highlighted as a loser from the weekend is Valencia, who faced a heavy 6-0 defeat against Barcelona. This has become a trend, as Valencia struggled against Barcelona previously with a similar result. Historically, Valencia has had a poor track record in matches played in Catalonia, with their last draw dating back to 2020 and their last victory stretching almost a decade.

While Carlos Corberan’s team managed to claim their first win of the season against Getafe prior to the international break, their campaign for the 2025-26 season appears to be fraught with difficulty.