Liverpool’s title tilt in tatters, Dortmund’s still alive: Weekend Review

Liverpool's title tilt in tatters, Dortmund's still alive: Weekend Review

Another weekend of headlines, golazos and unpredictable finishes across Europe’s biggest leagues. From Borussia Dortmund‘s dramatic 2-2 draw with Bayern Munich, to Liverpool dropping even further back in the Premier League title race, there was no shortage of drama.

ESPN correspondents Rob Dawson, Julien Laurens, Sam Marsden, James Tyler and James Olley break down the big stuff you need to know about the weekend.

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Jump to: Talking points | Best goals | Teams in trouble | MVP of the Weekend


Talking points

Ronaldo’s future at Man United

Cristiano Ronaldo came on for Anthony Martial against Everton to score the 700th goal of his club career. but the substitution could have even greater implications. Ronaldo is finding it hard to get opportunities in the Manchester United team but another injury to Martial makes it even less likely he will be allowed to leave Old Trafford in January.

Erik ten Hag is wary of leaving himself short of options during the most hectic season he has ever had to navigate and he can’t rely on Martial to be available regularly. The Frenchman has already missed games this season because of hamstring and Achilles injuries and Ten Hag can’t leave himself in a situation where Marcus Rashford is the only fit striker in his squad.

If Martial can’t stay injury-free, Ronaldo’s move away will have to wait until at least the end of the season — Dawson

Are Liverpool out of the title race already?

The Premier League season is not even 25% played but Liverpool’s hopes of a second title under Jurgen Klopp already look remote. Sunday’s 3-2 defeat at Arsenal left them 14 points adrift of the Gunners with the fact they have a game in hand offering only a glimmer of hope a desperate situation can be rescued. They are 13 points behind favourites Manchester City and even 10 behind Tottenham Hotspur, who have largely failed to convince this season but still occupy third place.

– Premier League table: Arsenal leading, Chelsea move into top 4

There is still time for Liverpool to rescue their league campaign and few would doubt this group of players were capable of putting together a winning run to put them back in the picture but Klopp admitted the gravity of their plight when speaking on Sunday night: “We’re not in the race … we’re in a tough moment and we want to get through this together and that’s what we are working on.”

It already feels as though time is against them. — Olley