Weekend Review: Verstappen cruises on as Liverpool put one hand on EPL title

Max Verstappen refused to take his foot off the gas pedal while Liverpool can start dreaming of a 21st league title. 

Monday is here again, meaning it is time to look back on an amazing weekend of sports. It was a weekend balls were on display and cars' speeds were put to the test. 

As expected, football was the biggest sport last weekend as we head to the festive period. All leagues were in action last weekend as teams continue to fight for their goals for the season. 

The weekend did not disappoint as there were some shocking results, including Barcelona’s home loss to Las Palmas. 

Barca’s defeat allowed Real Madrid to capitalise, with Los Blancos reducing the gap to one point with a game in hand following a win over Getafe. 

In France, PSG played a disappointing 1-1 draw at home to Nantes, while Juventus were denied by a last-minute Ante Rebic equaliser in their Serie A clash. 

Away from the football field to the racing track in Qatar, Formula 1 racing was also another sport that grabbed headlines over the weekend. 

We take a look at how it all went down. 

Max Verstappen reigns in Qatar 

If anyone thought Max Verstappen was going to slow down going into the race at the Qatar Grand Prix, then the person thought wrong because Verstappen did the opposite. 

After all, the Dutch driver won his fourth world title last month’s in Las Vegas last month despite finishing fifth. 

However, the Red Bull driver was not interested in easing off. Verstappen had been frustrated on Saturday after missing out on pole following a one-place penalty for an incident in qualifying. 

It appears that fueled him as he took the lead at turn 1, battling George Russell and Lando Norris. 

Moments later, the Safety Car was required after Franco Colapinto and Esteban Ocon were both casualties in an incident with Nico Hulkenberg.

 But despite two more Safety Car incidents, it did not deter Verstappen, who drove a brilliant race to win the race. 

The four-time World Champion will now hope to cap off a successful year at the final race of the year in Abu Dhabi this weekend. 

Liverpool are champions elect? 

The biggest clash in European football last weekend was Liverpool’s clash against Manchester City. 

Liverpool knew they had a big opportunity going into the match as they could potentially put themselves in a good position to win the Premier League title. 

That is what Arne Slot’s men did as they beat Pep Guardiola’s men 2-0 on Sunday. Goals from Coady Gakpo and Mohamed Salah were enough to give the Reds a well deserved win. 

Liverpool went ahead early in the first half through Gakpo, who tapped into an empty net following a brilliant pass from Salah. 

Salah then turned from provider to scorer as he fired in a second half penalty after Ortega upended Luis Diaz in the box. 

The result put Liverpool 11 points clear of the defending champions and nine points ahead of Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal. 

Although it’s only December, it’s fair to say that the Premier League 2024-2025 is now Liverpool’s title to lose.