Liverpool defeated Real Madrid 2-0 on Wednesday, handing the Spanish giants their third Champions League loss in five matches.
The result saw Liverpool maintain their perfect record in the competition and return to the top of the table.
Goals from Alexis Mac Allister and Cody Gakpo in the second half secured the victory, while Mohamed Salah missed a penalty, though it had little impact on the outcome.
Liverpool’s win marked a 17th victory in Arne Slot’s first 19 games in charge, surpassing Jurgen Klopp’s record by defeating Madrid, who had been unbeaten in their previous eight encounters with the Reds, including two Champions League finals in 2018 and 2022.
The defeat sent Carlo Ancelotti’s side tumbling to 24th place in the table, leaving them with work to do as only the top 24 teams advance to the knockout stage.
Liverpool, meanwhile, are well-positioned to progress and currently lead the Premier League by eight points.
Madrid’s injury crisis saw them travel to Anfield without key players including Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo, Dani Carvajal, Eder Militao, Aurelien Tchouameni, and David Alaba.
Young defender Raul Asencio stepped up in their absence, making an important goal-line clearance early in the match to deny Darwin Nunez’s rebound after a superb save from Thibaut Courtois.
Courtois, who had been crucial in Madrid’s 1-0 victory over Liverpool in the 2022 final, was in excellent form again, denying Nunez and later saving Conor Bradley’s header in the second half.
However, Liverpool broke the deadlock in the 52nd minute when Mac Allister scored a well-placed shot into the far corner after a clever assist from Bradley.
Despite Madrid’s struggles in attack without Vinicius, Kylian Mbappe was expected to provide a spark. He had a chance to get Madrid back into the game when Liverpool’s Andy Robertson was adjudged to have fouled Lucas Vazquez in the box.
Mbappe stepped up to take the penalty, but Liverpool’s Caoimhin Kelleher, filling in for the injured Alisson Becker, dived to his left to make a crucial save.
Salah, who had been at the center of a contract renewal dispute with Liverpool, missed his own penalty later in the match, firing wide off the outside of the post after being fouled by Ferland Mendy.
However, Gakpo sealed the win in the 68th minute, heading in a corner to make it 2-0.
The victory not only gave Liverpool a significant boost in the Champions League but also highlighted the growing confidence within the squad, who are already leading the Premier League by eight points.
