Real Madrid's big guns went missing, and Los Blancos failed to conjure up any Champions League magic in a 1-0 loss to Liverpool in a testy European tie. Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham, in particular, were kept curiously quiet as Madrid saw their undefeated start to their European campaign end in fairly unremarkable circumstances against Arne Slot's struggling Liverpool.
Early on, this seemed to have all of the signature pieces of a Madrid European night. Liverpool were on the front foot early, and established control of the game. Madrid threatened in spurts, with Vinicius Jr venturing down the left. They were otherwise kept at arm's length, though, and relied heavily on Thibaut Courtois to keep them in the game. He obliged, of course. The Belgian tallied five saves in the first half alone, and ensured that the game was scoreless at the break.
Courtois was at it again after the break, twice denying the home side from corners. But he was eventually beaten, Alexis Mac Allister nodding home from a corner. This is usually, of course, the time when Madrid turn things on. And they did offer a bit more fight. Kylian Mbappe got involved. Vinicius Jr scampered down the wing. But chances came at a premium. The closest they came was an Mbappe shot that glanced narrowly wide of the post.
There was time for some drama, though. Trent Alexander-Arnold returned from a long injury layoff in front of his former fans - and the boos rained down. But he, like most of Madrid, was kept quiet, and Los Blancos went quietly.
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