Liverpool sent out a statement that they’re still dining at Europe’s top table as they delivered a 1-0 victory over Real Madrid in the Champions League at Anfield.
Alexis Mac Allister’s second-half header gave the Reds all three points on match-day four of the league phase - and the win could well have been more emphatic but for the heroics of Los Blancos goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.
After a challenging recent run of four successive Premier League losses, there were concerns about Liverpool’s credentials. But they well and truly got the better of a European superpower who top La Liga and had an unblemished record in the Champions League this season before losing to Arne Slot’s Premier League champions.
Liverpool vs Real Madrid match report
Liverpool mustered the first chance of the game when the ball was pulled back to Alexis Mac Allister but he couldn’t keep his effort down. Seven minutes later, Kylian Mbappe had Real’s maiden opportunity but he skied a shot well over the crossbar.
The Reds were looking dangerous and on 27 minutes, they couldn’t believe they didn’t take the lead when Florian Wirtz fed in Dominik Szoboszlai but his shot was repelled by the outstretched leg of Courtois.
Szoboszlai continued to be Liverpool’s chief threat and there was a chance of a penalty when the midfielder’s shot was blocked by Aurelien Tchouameni. A free-kick was initially awarded but after a VAR review, the decision was rightly overturned completely.
Szoboszlai had two more opportunities that were well thwarted by Courtois, with Mac Allister also forcing the former Chelsea stopper into action shortly after Liverpool keeper Giorgi Mamardashvili made a smart save from Jude Bellingham at the near post.
Liverpool started the second period on the front foot and went close with three chances in as many minutes. Virgil van Dijk and Hugo Ekitike both had headers saved from corners by Courtois before the latter nodded another narrowly wide.
And in the 61st minute, the Reds deservedly broke the deadlock through a set-piece. Szoboszlai floated in a free-kick that found the run of Mac Allister, whose firm header finally got the better of Courtois to send Anfield into raptures.
Madrid did give Liverpool a scare with 15 minutes remaining when Mbappe’s first-time effort flew narrowly wide.
But if there was going to be another goal in the closing stages, it looked like it was going to be the home side. Substitute Cody Gakpo has an improvised effort kept out by Courtois before Salah’s follow-up was drilled down.
And when the full-time whistle was blown, Liverpool were full value for their triumph as they earned a statement triumph and took a step closer to qualifying for the knockout stage of the Champions League.
Liverpool player ratings vs Real Madrid
9. Dominik Szoboszlai - 8
Liverpool's chief threat in the final third throughout the first half. Will have been disappointed not to have scored but covered so much ground. Set-pieces were excellent in the second half as he picked out Mac Allister to break the deadlock. Never stopped running. | Getty Images
10. Florian Wirtz - 7
Must have thought he'd teed up the opening goal when picking out Szoboszlai. Clever on the ball in the first half and robbed possession a few times high up the pitch. Not as involved attacking-wise after the break but continued to put in a shift. Subbed in the 88th minute. | Getty Images
11. Hugo Ekitike - 6
Didn't have much service in the first half but harried and pressed Madrid, while he forced Dean Huijsen to be booked. Went close on two occasions in the second half and a couple of runs put Madrid on the backfoot. Subbed in the 79th minute. | Liverpool FC via Getty Images
12. Sub 1 - Curtis Jones - 7
Showed his usual nous on the ball. | Liverpool FC via Getty Images