Liverpool beat Real Madrid 1-0 in the Champions League thanks to a goal from Alexis Mac Allister and there were a number of things that caught the eye
09:36, 05 Nov 2025
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 04: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Florian Wirtz of Liverpool and Jude Bellingham of Real Madrid react during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD4 match between Liverpool FC and Real Madrid C.F. at Anfield on November 04, 2025 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
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Florian Wirtz was named in the starting side against Real Madrid(Image: Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
If you're curious about how Florian Wirtz is getting on at Liverpool, just take a look at what happened just before the half-hour mark in Liverpool's 1-0 win over Real Madrid.
After Real Madrid lost possession in their own half, freeing Wirtz to exploit space down the right, his precise cross set up Dominik Szoboszlai for a shot that was only thwarted by an exceptional save from visiting keeper Thibaut Courtois. This has been a recurring theme for Wirtz.
While he's the first to admit he hasn't quite hit the heights of his time under Real boss Xabi Alonso at Bayer Leverkusen, the narrative could have been different if his team-mates had converted even a fraction of the numerous chances he's created this season.
But Wirtz wasn't disheartened. Recalled to the left wing - and sticking more rigidly to the position than during his off-target 45 minutes at Crystal Palace back in September - the 22-year-old put in a tremendous performance.
No player covered more ground, and his ability to win back possession played a key role in Liverpool's successful press against Real Madrid.
Florian Wirtz during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD4 match between Liverpool FC and Real Madrid C.F. at Anfield.
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Florian Wirtz showed his true class against Real Madrid(Image: DeFodi Images, DeFodi Images via Getty Images)
Given Szoboszlai's stellar form in the number 10 role, it's likely we'll see Wirtz featuring more on the wing in the coming weeks, reports the Liverpool Echo.
The standing ovation the German international received when he was substituted two minutes from full-time shows that his efforts were not lost on the Anfield crowd.
Alexis Mac Allister's fiery reaction to being inadvertently blocked by referee Istvan Kovacs during a promising first-half run may not have been the most evident sign of his return to form.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 19: Arne Slot, Manager of Liverpool, gives instructions to Florian Wirtz of Liverpool during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Manchester United at Anfield on October 19, 2025 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
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Florian Wirtz was given a standing ovation from the Anfield crowd(Image: Michael Regan, Getty Images)
However, it certainly indicated that the Argentine international's competitive spirit is back in full force. Liverpool has undoubtedly missed a fit and firing Mac Allister this season.
His tenacity and hunger in midfield contributed to Real Madrid's inability to find their rhythm. And for the second consecutive season in this fixture, he was instrumental in breaking the deadlock.
Liverpool will be relieved to see the old Mac Allister back in action and performing at his best.
Ibrahima Konate, in one of many such instances throughout the evening, turned to the Anfield crowd and energetically waved his arms. The Liverpool fans responded in kind, raising the noise levels even further.
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The match was nearing its end when Konate made his latest move to extinguish the lingering threat of a Real Madrid attack that ultimately proved more potential than actual result.
For the first time this season, the Spanish side failed to score. This was only the third occasion in 18 appearances for club and country this term that Kylian Mbappe had failed to find the net, marking his third consecutive loss at Anfield.
For Liverpool, it was only their fourth clean sheet of the campaign, but crucially, the second in a row at a critical point in the season when even Slot's future was being questioned by some.