Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti and star midfielder Jude Bellingham both admitted they were beaten by the better side on Wednesday night after losing to Liverpool.
Arne Slot's Reds continued their European charge this season by maintaining their perfect record with a 2-0 win over Real Madrid at Anfield. Goals from Alexis Mac Allister and Cody Gakpo saw the Reds past the reigning European champions on a night Real Madrid failed to really lay a glove on Liverpool.
And speaking after the game, the Real Madrid pair were in agreement that Wednesday was a disappointing evening for the Spanish side at "the most difficult stadium in Europe," according to Ancelotti.
Ancelotti told reporters at his press conference: "It was a difficult game, as we knew, it was the most difficult stadium in Europe. We competed well until the penalty, but then we dropped a little bit later on, we could have made more of the counterattacks.
"I liked the team, we competed well against the most difficult opponent in Europe and they deserved to win. It doesn’t change much, even if we had won, we wouldn’t have reached the top eight. We have to qualify and we are going to qualify."
Jude Bellingham after Real Madrid's defeat at Liverpool
Jude Bellingham after Real Madrid's defeat at Liverpool (Image: Getty Images)
And the Real Madrid boss' words were backed up by Bellingham, who told TNT Sports said: "I think to be fair, from the first minute they took control of the game. We never really maximised the spells we had in possession.
"We turned it over so much that they kept control. They were more up for it than us which is very disappointing to say. It is a bad result against the best-performing team in Europe. We are disappointed at how we have performed and it is important that win the next three games and give ourselves a chance to go through.”
Liverpool.com says: "We can't disagree with Ancelotti and Bellingham. Real Madrid were resoundingly beaten by a Liverpool side who could go on to achieve something special this term in Arne Slot's debut campaign at Anfield."