Liverpool returned to their dazzling best with a dominant display to claim a vital Champions League victory over Real Madrid at Anfield.
Arne Slot’s Premier League champions, who ended a run of six defeats in seven games with a weekend win over Aston Villa, continued their resurgence by completely outclassing the Spanish giants.
The scoreline flattered Real Madrid, as Liverpool’s superiority was clear throughout. Alexis Mac Allister finally broke the deadlock in the second half, capitalising on sustained pressure after former Reds defender Trent Alexander-Arnold watched from the bench for much of the match, his new team firmly second best.
Real goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois was the only reason the visitors stayed in the contest for as long as they did, producing a series of outstanding saves four from Dominik Szoboszlai and a superb reflex stop to deny Virgil van Dijk’s header.
However, Courtois could do nothing to prevent Liverpool from taking the lead on 61 minutes, when Mac Allister nodded in Szoboszlai’s pinpoint free-kick to reward the hosts’ dominance.
Alexander-Arnold was introduced late on to a chorus of boos from fans who once idolised him, but he made little impact as Real, with Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappé largely ineffective, failed to find a response. The result gave Slot’s rejuvenated side a well-deserved and crucial three points.
