Seven wins and one draw. That was the record Real Madrid held over Liverpool in their last eight clashes in Europe with their last defeat dating back to 2009.
That script ended at Anfield yesterday as the UEFA Champions League leaders dominantly put two goals past the men in white to walk away with a 2-0 win, a result that was kind to the Spanish giants.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side did indeed enter the game with several factors against them including the absence of Vinicius Jr. and the long injury list in defence. They did well in the first half to keep the ball out of the net with Thibaut Courtois putting up a sensational show.
In the end, however, goals from Alexis Mac Allister and Cody Gakpo were enough to secure three points for Liverpool on a night where both Kylian Mbappe and Mohammed Salah missed penalties.
Madrid Universal brings you three talking points from Liverpool 2-0 Real Madrid.
Dominated and destroyed
The story of Real Madrid’s outing at Anfield is less about the result and more about the sheet manner in which they were outplayed for they never even looked at a team competing on the same level as Arne Slot’s men.
Los Blancos were missing key names through injury in the likes of Vinicius Jr., Eder Militao and Rodrygo but the XI the manager fielded on the night was not inferior in any sense.
A team with the quality of Kylian Mbappe, Eduardo Camavinga, Antonio Rudiger and Jude Bellingham, in no world, can be called a second-string side.
Yet, Liverpool walked all over the men in white last night and utterly dominated them for 90 minutes. They created more chances, the better chances and largely the only big chances at Anfield.
For long parts, the game was exclusively played in midfield or the Real Madrid box as the Merseyside club implemented a high-pressure system and did not allow the visitors any room to make attacking forays of their own. The statistics say it all.
In 90 minutes, Liverpool had a staggering 63% possession and created an xG of 2.73 while Real Madrid managed an xG of just 1.73 with their performance. Considering that the aforementioned number includes a penalty’s xG of 0.79, Los Blancos’ effective xG from open play was below 1.
Further, the English side had 17 shots, seven on target, hit the woodwork once and had a mind-boggling six big chances to Real Madrid’s two.
Kylian Mbappe is sinking
Struggling. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Kylian Mbappe has simply not been himself ever since he made the move to Real Madrid. Many blamed the change in position to be the primary hurdle in his path with the player reportedly fed up of starting at centre-forward.
The Frenchman’s confidence has thus been on a freefall in recent months and he has been a shadow of his former self both in front of goal and with his general contributions.
Last night was widely seen as his best chance to prove that he is still one of the best in the world, especially given Vinicius Jr.’s injury and that he would finally have the left flank to himself. Playing in his niche, however, he did not do himself any favours.
At no point in the game did the former PSG star look like a dominant force in attack or a leader for Real Madrid. His counterattacks were stopped with ease and he never got away from the Liverpool defence to create any threat.
His shots on goal were meek and the fact that the same player who scored three goals and converted three penalties in the FIFA World Cup final missed a penalty last night only goes to show how deep Mbappe is nestled in negativity.
The player is rightfully being pointed out as the culprit, for his equaliser would have given Los Blancos a new lease of life last night. The fact remains, however, that the chance of Real Madrid holding on even after an equaliser was slim given the overall performance.
Champions League catastrophe
The defending UEFA Champions League champions are staring at catastrophe in the competition they usually dominate as they are in dire straits after matchday 5.
After defeats to AC Milan, Lille and now Liverpool, Los Blancos have just two wins in five and are on six points after five games. Their dismal score has them in 24th place as it stands, on the brink of elimination in the group stage.
Real Madrid still have three games to go in the competition, all of which pose their own set of challenges. They are far from eliminated but are virtually guaranteed to finish outside the top eight now.
At this point, it is clear that Carlo Ancelotti’s side will have to go through playoffs and thus play two extra games to secure their place in the Round of 16. To get a favourable pairing, however, they must win their three remaining games.
Real Madrid next play Atalanta away from home in what will be another uphill challenge. They then host RB Salzburg at the Santiago Bernabeu before closing their league stage campaign against Brest away from home.
The men in white must step up soon for being so close to elimination from the first round does not sit well for a club of Real Madrid’s stature. The dream of defending the UCL crown is slowly but surely fading away.