REDS TURN ON THE STYLE

Ekitike & Wirtz shine in crushing victory

- By IAN DOYLE

Hugo Ekitike makes it 2-1 to the Reds while Florian Wirtz celebrates their third goal (top right). Mohammed Salah and team-mates arrive at Anfield (above) dressed to impress (above).

THANKS to a new partnership with one notable fashion designer, Liverpool's players rocked up to Anfield sporting an impressive fresh look on Saturday evening.

Appropriate, then, that this revamped Reds were indebted to their raft of new recruits after finally kickstarting their Premier League campaign this year.

And how Arne Slot will hope this resounding victory can act as a calling card for a team he remains adamant can make a success of a testing season.

Having earlier seen Chelsea come from behind to strengthen claims for Champions League qualification, this was the first time Liverpool had done likewise in the Premier League since being crowned champions in April.

After a 13-game unbeaten run was brought to a halt in dramatic fashion last week at Bournemouth, Slot was forced to defend his tenure in the wake of more speculation surrounding his future.

His team, though, have subsequently gone on the offensive, following the six goals against a hapless Qarabag in midweek with another four here to comfortably see off Newcastle.

And as is increasingly becoming the norm, the players Liverpool have invested heavily in to shape the future are impacting the present.