Real Madrid Falters at Anfield

Real Madrid endured a disappointing night in Liverpool, falling 1–0 in a flat performance under Xabi Alonso. Although Alonso’s starting lineups often contain surprises, this time his choices were predictable—Camavinga’s inclusion was expected after his strong showing against Barcelona in their last major test.

As expected, the match began with intensity. Liverpool, urged on by their home crowd, set a frenetic tempo. Madrid, meanwhile, sought to slow the game and absorb pressure rather than trade blows from the start. Defender Huijsen quickly learned the dangers of hesitancy, struggling in early duels and showing the kind of softness unacceptable at this level.

After Liverpool’s initial burst, Madrid briefly took control, circulating the ball with composure but little penetration. Their possession looked more dominant on paper than in reality, as they failed to truly threaten Mamardashvili’s goal.

Courtois the Lifesaver

The standout of the first half was Thibaut Courtois. The Belgian goalkeeper made four crucial saves, three of them diving to his right, including a stunning stop to deny Szoboszlai’s thunderous strike from distance.

Penalty Controversies

Referee István Kovács also took center stage. Madrid appealed for four penalties in the first half—two on Vinícius, one on Carreras, and another on Güler. The most disputed was Bradley’s clear hand to Vinícius’s face inside the box. Conversely, a potential handball by Tchouameni in Madrid’s area was reviewed by VAR but ultimately not given, as the midfielder had his back turned.

Liverpool Strikes

The second half began with Liverpool dominance, as three consecutive headers from corners exposed Madrid’s aerial weakness. Courtois again came to the rescue with key saves, including one from Van Dijk. But Madrid’s habit of committing unnecessary fouls around their box proved costly—Mac Allister’s curling free kick found the net in the 60th minute to make it 1–0.

From there, Real Madrid never truly recovered. Vinícius faded, Mbappé showed only glimpses of his talent, and Bellingham was far less influential than in the first half. It was a poor showing in a difficult venue, marking Madrid’s first Champions League defeat of the season. After away losses at both the Metropolitano and Anfield, Xabi Alonso’s side faces serious questions about their performances in big matches.

Final Score: Liverpool 1–0 Real Madrid
Goal: Mac Allister (60’)
Stadium: Anfield
Referee: István Kovács
Yellow Cards: Vinícius, Huijsen, Mac Allister, Bellingham, Carreras, Xabi Alonso
Best Player: Thibaut Courtois