Football Mag

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain provided the sharpness and dynamism Jurgen Klopp will have been delighted to see despite Liverpool suffering a 3-2 preseason defeat to Borussia Dortmund. The England international, who was involved in just four matchday squads last season as he recovered from multiple ligament damage, was the standout star for the European champions at Notre Dame Stadium. His explosive runs from midfield were on show and he provided the impetus in attack for the Reds during the first outing of their US tour. Oxlade-Chamberlain's cross from the right, which Ryan Kent connected with nearly had Liverpool level after Paco Alcacer converted from close range following poor defending three minutes in, but Marwin Hitz pulled off a superb save. Klopp's side did equalise after Fabinho supplied a lovely pass, which was met by a clever Kent dummy before Harry Wilson applied the finish to a well-worked goal. Dortmund responded with a quick double in the second half after...

Bayern Munich pulled level on points with Borussia Dortmund at the Bundesliga summit after thumping Borussia Monchengladbach 5-1 on Saturday. Long-time leaders Dortmund had opened the door for Niko Kovac's side after suffering a shock 2-1 defeat to Augsburg on Friday and the reigning champions never looked in danger of failing to take advantage as they swatted aside their hosts, who now sit fourth. Javi Martinez gave them a second-minute lead before Thomas Muller's fifth league goal of the campaign extended their lead nine minutes later. Lars Stindl pulled one back for the hosts in the 37th minute, but Robert Lewandowski's glorious finish shortly after the restart extinguished any hopes of a comeback as Bayern – who added two more late on through Serge Gnabry and a Lewandowski penalty – cruised to an 11th win in their last 12 Bundesliga games.

Bayern Munich moved level on points with Bundesliga leaders Borussia Dortmund as they defeated Hertha Berlin 1-0 at the Allianz Arena. With Dortmund not in action against Bayer Leverkusen until Sunday, the champions seized the opportunity to pile pressure onto their rivals despite a largely poor performance against Hertha. The visitors carried the greater threat before Javi Martinez nodded Bayern in front just after the hour, settling nerves among the home supporters. The final 30 minutes were still not wholly convincing, however, and long-suffering Bayern winger Kingsley Coman was dealt another injury blow, disappearing down the tunnel nine minutes after arriving from the bench. A frustrating afternoon for a Hertha side who would have been good value for at least a point ended with Karim Rekik sent off as he lashed out at Robert Lewandowski off the ball.