What a thrilling comeback story unfolding at Anfield! Liverpool delivered a commanding 1-0 triumph over a formidable Real Madrid squad in the Champions League on Tuesday evening, with a decisive second-half strike from Alexis Mac Allister clinching the victory for a revitalized Reds team. And just imagine the drama: Trent Alexander-Arnold stepped back onto the pitch he once ruled, greeted by a lukewarm mix of cheers and jeers from the passionate Anfield faithful. Yet, as the final whistle blew, the stadium erupted in red celebration. But here's where it gets controversial—could this shift in fan sentiment signal a turning point for Alexander-Arnold's career, or is it just a fleeting chapter? Stick around to dive deeper into how this match unfolded and what it means for everyone involved.
The match kicked off with Real Madrid controlling the ball extensively in the opening stages, their possession game looking sharp as ever. However, it was Arne Slot's Liverpool who carved out the clearer opportunities in the first half. Thibaut Courtois, the ever-reliable goalkeeper, stretched out his leg to block Dominik Szoboszlai's close-range effort, potentially denying a goal. Then, there was a tense VAR review for a possible handball by Aurelien Tchouameni, but the officials decided no penalty was warranted— a decision that might have fans debating for weeks. As the game wore on, Courtois remained a wall for Madrid, repeatedly thwarting Liverpool's attacks, while Giorgi Mamardashvili in the Liverpool goal faced minimal threats, keeping things steady.
The breakthrough finally came late in the second half, around the hour mark, when Mac Allister powerfully headed in Szoboszlai's perfectly weighted cross. It was a moment of pure class that broke the deadlock. Real Madrid pushed hard for an equalizer in the closing stages, with Kylian Mbappe—one of their star threats—having a golden chance but directing his shot wide of the target. All in all, Liverpool deserved the win, earning a massive boost to their confidence. And this is the part most people miss: in a league where underdogs often crumble against giants like Madrid, Slot's team stood tall, showcasing tactical discipline that could redefine their season.
To break it down further for newcomers to football, these ratings reflect how each player performed on a scale from 1 to 10, with 10 being a flawless display. Here's GOAL's take on the Liverpool squad from that memorable night at Anfield:
Goalkeeper & Defence
Giorgi Mamardashvili (6/10): He held his position firmly, pulling off a solid stop to block Jude Bellingham early on. Given the attacking prowess of Madrid, you'd think he'd have been tested more, but he handled what came his way effectively.
Conor Bradley (9/10): Forget Trent—who's that? Bradley, stepping into the spotlight, refused to be overwhelmed by the challenge of facing Vinicius Junior. He not only matched the Brazilian sensation but dominated, limiting his impact dramatically. Plus, he ventured forward frequently, adding an extra layer of attacking flair to Liverpool's play.
Ibrahima Konate (6/10): He appeared uneasy in isolated one-on-one situations against Bellingham, and Madrid could have exploited that vulnerability more ruthlessly if they'd capitalized on it.
Virgil van Dijk (7/10): This performance was all about sharp awareness and anticipating dangers rather than aggressive, physical defending. He also contributed positively by winning headers from set pieces at the attacking end.
Andrew Robertson (8/10): With four appearances in his last five matches, he's proven his value after Milos Kerkez's arrival, and this outing proved why—Robertson seemed to have turned back the clock with his energy and reliability.
Midfield
Ryan Gravenberch (8/10): He hustled tirelessly across the pitch, plugging gaps in central areas and allowing his teammates to express themselves more freely.
Alexis Mac Allister (9/10): Building on his success from last season's encounters with Madrid, he netted with a strong header off Szoboszlai's precise ball. His passing was spot-on, and defensively, he disrupted Madrid's attempts to build through the middle.
Dominik Szoboszlai (9/10): He forced Courtois into a world-class save from point-blank range and wasn't afraid to unleash shots from distance when opportunities arose. His relentless creativity set up Mac Allister's goal and kept the pressure on Madrid throughout.
Attack
Mohamed Salah (6/10): He had quiet periods but flashed moments of genius, nearly creating a second goal for Cody Gakpo with a brilliant individual effort.
Hugo Ekitike (5/10): He struggled to get involved in open play, and facing tight marking as the striker made it a challenging evening for him.
Florian Wirtz (6/10): He deserves praise for his tireless work without the ball, tracking back to help the defense. While his on-ball creativity is still developing, there are promising glimpses of the flair Liverpool supporters are eager to see flourish with time.
Subs & Manager
Curtis Jones (6/10): He didn't have much time to make an impact but adapted quickly to the match's rhythm upon entering.
Cody Gakpo (6/10): Coming on in the last 11 minutes, he immediately pressured Courtois with a shot that required a save.
Milos Kerkez (N/A): He dove right into the action and unfortunately needed immediate medical attention.
Federico Chiesa (N/A): He joined the fray late, at the 88th minute.
Arne Slot (8/10): Slot made only one tweak to the lineup that secured the weekend victory against Aston Villa, slotting Wirtz in for Gakpo. With consecutive wins now under his belt, this result might just kickstart a full season turnaround for the Reds.
What do you think about this victory reshaping Liverpool's path in Europe? Is Conor Bradley the unexpected hero we didn't see coming, or should Trent Alexander-Arnold be given another chance to win back the fans? And here's a bold take that might stir debate: Was Real Madrid's dominance in possession just an illusion, masking their inability to convert chances? Share your views in the comments—do you agree with these ratings, or would you rate players differently based on what you saw?
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