Liverpool 1-0 Real Madrid. Defeat at Anfield… Here is my reaction to the clash. Don’t miss: Player ratings, interviews and a post game podcast.
Games don’t come much bigger than this. An away trip to Anfield
to face Liverpool in the Champions League. Trent Alexander-Arnold would not receive his dream start, with Fede Valverde continuing to get the nod at right-back instead. The rest of the back four were both born to play their roles, and in a good run of form. Eduardo Camavinga sat alongside Aurélien Tchouaméni in midfield, wih the likes of Jude Bellingham, Vinícius Júnior and Kylian Mbappé ahead of them. The bench was full of everyone from Gonzalo García to Dani Ceballos. Fede Valverde led the team out at Anfield.
Liverpool started the game on the front foot, without any clear chances being created until Thibaut Courtois was called upon to deny a huge chance as the ball was squared right in-front of goal. The home side were then denied a penalty by VAR, deeming a shot blocked by the hand of Aurélien Tchouaméni to be too close in proximity. Courtois was then needed to make another strong save, this time from distance – before Jude Bellingham missed the first clear chance for Real Madrid, after driving into the box with the ball. Arda Güler then had an easy shot saved, before the half-time whistle arrived with the score at 0-0.
Virgil Van Djik almost opened the second half with a goal, but Thibaut Courtois saw it as an easy challenge. An even better effort one minute later was also clawed away by the big Belgian who was having another huge game against Liverpool in Europe. Liverpool would then take the lead via an Alexis Mac Allister header. Madrid needed to switch on now after a passive performance up until this point. Kylian Mbappé came close on the half volley, but the ball flew agonisingly wide. Cody Gakpo and Mo Salah should have finished the game, but a great save and then block kept Madrid alive. They wouldn’t go on to cause any danger for the home team, though. Full-time: Liverpool 1-0 Real Madrid. A game without much fight from the Spaniards, and no bite. What did you think?
