By JAMES COHEN
Published: 17:07 EST, 27 November 2024 | Updated: 17:08 EST, 27 November 2024
Both Kylian Mbappe and Mohamed Salah missed from the penalty spot during Liverpool's clash against Real Madrid on Wednesday night.
On a crucial night in the Champions League, the two European giants went head-to-head at Anfield in the fifth gameweek of the competition, with Madrid desperately needing a win.
However, after an evenly matched first-half, it was Liverpool who took the lead through Alexis Mac Allister - who provided a thumping finish to neat move in 52nd minute.
Madrid did then get a golden opportunity to get back into the match after being awarded a penalty, which Kylian Mbappe elected to take.
The France forward has been the centre of attention amid his struggles at Madrid and those struggles continued as he saw his effort saved by Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher.
The Ireland international guessed the right way and beat Mbappe's effort wide of the goal, which was met by a huge roar from the Anfield crowd.
Kylian Mbappe was denied from the penalty spot during Real Madrid's trip to Liverpool
The Madrid forward saw his spot-kick saved by Reds backup goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher
Nine minutes later, Mohamed Salah also missed from the penalty spot during the clash at Anfield
With momentum swung back in Liverpool's favour, the Reds took control and just nine minutes later, they had a spot-kick of their own.
Salah stepped up, after winning it with some neat skills that bamboozled Madrid's Ferland Mendy, before blasting his effort wide of the goal.
Anfield was left shocked after the miss but, in the end, it didn't matter as shortly afterwards they doubled their lead through Cody Gakpo.
The Reds took all three points from the Champions League clash which keeps them at the summit of the new format table.
Prior to the match, Rio Ferdinand jumped to the defence of Salah amid his contract stand-off with Liverpool.
The Egyptian's deal is set to expire at the end of this season and he recently claimed in a shock interview that there are no new offers to stay from Liverpool chiefs.
The forward, 32, conducted a rare interview with Mail Sport and a small group of other reporters after scoring twice in the 3-2 victory at Southampton, where he said he was 'more out than in' and criticised the club.
It drew criticism from the likes of club legend Jamie Carragher who claimed that Salah was 'selfish' by venting his frustration in public but now Ferdinand has argued back.
Speaking ahead of Liverpool's clash with Real Madrid on Wednesday night, Ferdinand said: 'He hasn't been disrespectful. He's just stating facts.
Salah blasted his effort wide of the goal despite sending Thibaut Courtois the wrong way
Madrid went on to lose the match 2-0 as their struggles domestically and in Europe continue
'As team-mates you're thinking: Is he still with us? Mo Salah is scoring goals week-in, week-out (so he is). He wants to stay, but for a bit more money'.
As reported by Mail Sport, Liverpool turned down a lucrative £150m bid from Saudi Arabian outfit Al-Ittihad in 2023. On that occasion, the Reds were unable to compete with a jaw-dropping tax-free salary of £1.25m-a-week on offer from the club.
Addressing his contract stand-off on Sunday, Salah said: 'We are almost in December and I haven't received any offers yet to stay in the club.
'I'm probably more out than in. You know I have been in the club for many years.