Liverpool 1-0 Real Madrid: Liverpool finally found a breakthrough against Xabi Alonso’s Real Madrid after being frustrated by familiar foe Thibaut Courtois for nearly an hour.
Liverpool showed no fear as they dominated Real Madrid in a blockbuster Champions League clash at Anfield. Having to wait for a breakthrough against Xabi Alonso’s tenacious last line, Alexis Mac Allister’s header put them ahead and the visitors had no reply and were no doubt satisfied with a narrow defeat.
The Reds’ last European win against Eintracht Frankfurt proved that the team still has goals. But Madrid posed a different kind of test, winning three of three games before the trip to Anfield.
When the two teams met in a league match last season, Arne Slott’s team claimed victory. Perhaps that inspired them, and in the first half they fired a number of shots at the opponent’s goal, but were unable to find a way out.
Liverpool came closest to taking the lead in the first 30 minutes, but Thibaut Courtois stepped wide to deny Dominik Szoboszlai. Immediately afterwards, organizers wondered if a handball penalty could have ended their hopes with just a VAR check.
After the break, Liverpool maintained their tempo and despite Courtois’ best efforts they eventually paid off, leveling their opponents with nine points from four Champions League games. Mirror football topics include:
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1. VAR drama
The penalty dispute in the first half saw VAR used in a more complex way than usual. Referee Istvan Kovac initially awarded a free kick when the ball hit Aurélien Choameny.
It soon became clear that the violation, if indeed committed by them, occurred within the area. However, it was also revealed that when the Hungarian tried to score, it was not Cioameny’s outstretched arm that made contact, but a limb closer to Szoboszlai’s.
Former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg saw things differently during his Prime Sports broadcast. “I agree with the referee’s initial call for a handball. Once it was a handball, it was in the penalty area,” he said. Fortunately for Liverpool, it did not affect the final result.
2. The Reds are keen on shooting from long range.
Twice in the first 20 minutes, Liverpool’s players tried their luck from distance. Both Alexis Mac Allister and Ugo Ekitike saw their efforts blocked by teammate Ryan Gravenbirch with Mac Allister seemingly planning to hit a powerful shot and get an early shot.
Szoboszlai was next to try his luck with a shot from 25 yards out that hit Aurelien Choameny in the arm, but he was not given a penalty. There was still time for a shot from outside the box before half-time, and Szoboszlai again stung Courtois’s Pacum with a low shot, and two minutes after half-time the midfielder fired again to force a corner kick.
In first-half stoppage time, as you might expect, Mac Allister fired a shot from long range, forcing a save from Courtois. If I felt Courtois had a leak, it was nowhere to be seen.
3. An unlikely route to the goal
Alexis Mac Allister is a lot of things for Liverpool, but the aerial threat is not the first thing people would put on their list. However, he could score with a header if called upon, and the opening goal was too powerful for Courtois.
The midfield three of Mac Allister, Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenbirch were excellent for Liverpool last season, but this season in particular all three have been unable to play regularly as a trio. The way they complement each other is something we often forget until we are reminded of how natural it is.
On another day, we might have seen a more regular scorer find the back of the net. One thing I can say is that this Liverpool team certainly has a lot of ways to trouble the opposition keeper.
4. Will Bini Junior be lucky enough to escape?
Vinicius Junior received an early yellow card after colliding with Liverpool right-back Conor Bradley inside the home area. When the Brazilian star suffered a dramatic lapse, some members of the local crowd asked him to rebook his dive, but their wishes were not granted.
Just before half-time, after that goal, it looked like he could punish them. He linked up well with Jude Bellingham in the channels, but Giorgi Mamadashvili stood firm and blocked the England star’s low, forceful shot.
Before kick-off, there was speculation about the reception Trent Alexander-Arnold would receive at the ground he once called home. The home supporters naturally targeted the pantomime villain when Alexander-Arnold sat on the bench, and while he was met with some boos when he finally arrived, Conor Bradley’s response to Madrid’s left-winger may have been the bigger talking point for a significant number of fans.
5. Wirtz’s quality flash
Arne Slott, who has given the playmaker some time away from the spotlight in recent weeks, supported Florian Wirths from the start. Perhaps he felt that the mere presence of Xabi Alonso was enough for the German to rediscover his form at Bayer Leverkusen.
Shortly before the half-hour mark, it looked like the slot would pay off. Wirtz made a smart move on the right to find space and rolled the ball to Dominik Szoboszlai, but Madrid keeper Thibaut Courtois made a big save to deny him.
We’re still waiting for the £116m man to deliver consistent performances to match his fee. But the moment he really announces himself, he’s showing so much more, even if it’s not as much as some might have expected.
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