In what was comfortably Liverpool’s most complete performance of the season, they deservedly defeated perennial European Cup Winners, Real Madrid, 1-0. A second-half header from Alexis Mac Allister was enough to secure three points and a second clean sheet in four days.
With just one change from Saturday’s line-up, Arne Slot opting for Wirtz over Gakpo, Liverpool took the game to Madrid from the outset. However, once again, Courtois stood in their way. Just as he denied Liverpool in Paris, it looked as though he’d again be their nemesis, first denying Szoboszlai with his legs in front of the Kop, and going on to make fingertip saves from both Van Dijk and Nketiah (Assuming Etikite is a typo for a known player, otherwise kept as is). He could do little to stop a glancing header from Mac Allister, though, after an outstanding free-kick from Liverpool’s player of the season, Dominic Szoboszlai.
Every Liverpool player was ‘at it.’ Conor Bradley was particularly impressive, barely giving Vinicius Junior a kick all night. Defensively and across midfield, Liverpool were disciplined, aggressive, barely wasted a pass, and restricted Real to just a few half-chances. Bellingham had a close effort repelled by the feet of Mamardashvili, whilst Mbappe failed to have a shot on target.
With Trent Alexander-Arnold sitting on the bench, the home fans had to wait until the final fifteen minutes to ‘welcome’ him back to Anfield. He was predictably booed on every touch, but could do nothing to rescue his team’s night. Madrid were second best all evening; Liverpool simply outran them, outplayed them, and on another night, the score line would have better reflected their dominance.
With another international break on the horizon, Liverpool face an away game at the Etihad. They’ll certainly travel to Manchester in a far better frame of mind, with a brace of victories and clean sheets behind them, having come through a very difficult run of results in October. Whether Liverpool are back however, it’s perhaps a little early to tell, but the significance of a victory over Real Madrid should not be underestimated.
