Real Madrid have broken an unwanted Champions League losing record after suffering a 2-0 defeat to Liverpool at Anfield on Wednesday night.
Los Blancos, who won a record-extending 15th Champions League trophy last season, were second best on Merseyside as Alexis Mac Allister and Cody Gakpo fired Arne Slot's in-form side to victory.
Shortly after Max Allister had put Liverpool into a 52nd-minute lead, Kylian Mbappe was presented with an opportunity to restore parity for Real Madrid from the penalty spot, but his effort from 12 yards was saved by Caoimhin Kelleher.
Mohamed Salah then fired a spot kick of his own wide of the target with 20 minutes remaining, but Liverpool secured maximum points when substitute Gakpo powered a header into the top corner.
While Liverpool remain top of the 36-team Champions League table after winning five games out of five, Real Madrid are languishing in 24th place after losing three of their opening five fixtures, and are four points behind the automatic last-16 qualification spots.
Carlo Ancelotti's men have come out on top against German duo Stuttgart (3-1) and Borussia Dortmund (5-2) so far this term, but they were beaten 1-0 away against Lille and 3-1 at home to AC Milan prior to their loss at Liverpool.
Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti on October 5, 2024© Imago
Champions League holders Real Madrid set unwanted losing record
Defeat against Liverpool has seen Real Madrid set a new unwanted record, as they have become the first reigning Champions League winners to suffer three losses in the group stage after lifting the title.
Los Blancos have never lost three of their opening five matches of a Champions League campaign before, while they recorded just 37% possession during the defeat to Liverpool - the lowest possession percentage they have ever had in a Champions League group-stage fixture.
After the match, Ancelotti conceded that Liverpool were worthy winners over his Real Madrid side, telling reporters: "To be totally honest, it's a fair result. Liverpool deserved to win.
"They have a real good dynamic at the moment and are in great form. They were really switched on, connected, playing with high intensity.
"We did okay in the first half, we held them and set up quite well and defended well as a unit. In transitions we were okay, but then we lost the ball and once we gained the ball we made the wrong decision going forward."
Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe on November 27, 2024© Imago
Ancelotti relaxed despite poor start to Champions League campaign
Commenting on Mbappe's game-changing penalty miss, Ancelotti said: "We fought right up until the point of the penalty. If we could have evened it up, we had competed well up to that point, but we have to keep going.
"This is the road we are on at the moment, we have to fight for everything. There are things we have to improve. And we will improve, nothing more really."
Ancelotti has played down the significance of Real Madrid's loss to Liverpool in terms of the Champions League standings, insisting that the aim was to always finish at least in the top 24 to remain in with a chance of reaching the knockout rounds.
"This game wasn't a decisive game in terms of our league position," said the Italian. "It was always going to be tough for us to finish in the top eight so we have to finish in top 24 as high as we can. We will be competing in the Champions League knockout stages like we always are."
Ancelotti has also shared his thoughts on what "medicine" Mbappe must take to rediscover his best form for Real Madrid following a below-par performance at Anfield.
Real Madrid have three more Champions League fixtures remaining against Atalanta BC (A), Red Bull Salzburg (H) and Brest (A) in the League Phase, but they will now turn their attention back to La Liga as they will play host to Getafe on Sunday.
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