- Liverpool deservedly defeated Real Madrid 2-0 at Anfield on matchday 5 of the Champions League.
- Kylian Mbappé and Mohamed Salah both failed from the spot, Alexis Mac Allister and Cody Gakpo provided the goals.
- While Liverpool remains the only team with the maximum number of points, Real is slowly but surely getting into serious trouble.
- Click here for the round-up with the remaining Wednesday games.
When Eduardo Camavinga, by far Real’s best player, had to leave the field injured in the 56th minute when the score was 0-1, things looked bleak for the defending champions. But out of nowhere, the “Royal” presented themselves with a golden chance to equalize.
Mbappé doesn’t put one foot in front of the other
What had happened? Liverpool defender Andy Robertson fouled substitute Lucas Vasquez in the penalty area – penalty. Kylian Mbappé, who had achieved little or nothing up to this point, took responsibility… and was denied by Alisson’s replacement Caoimhin Kelleher, who sensed the right corner early on.
What could have meant the long-awaited ketchup effect for Mbappé – the Frenchman is still unrecognizable since his move to Real in the summer – was probably the decisive blow in the neck for the guests at Anfield Road.
Salah’s misfire has no consequences
Less than 10 minutes after the missed penalty on one side, the referee François Letexier whistled a penalty on the other side. Mohamed Salah played cat and mouse with Ferland Mendy and literally provoked the foul with his dribbling.
The fouled player immediately took a run and hit the ball at the outside post. A game in which both Mbappé and Salah sin from the penalty spot will probably not happen again any time soon.
However, Liverpool soon made up for what they missed. After a short corner, Robertson delivered a precise cross to Joker Cody Gakpo, who won the unequal header duel with Luka Modric and nodded in to make it 2-0. Real appeared with their backs to the wall a few times near the opponent’s penalty area. But the “Reds” were no longer in real danger of giving up their lead.
Liverpool more alert, faster, stronger
Already in the first half it was the home team that set the tone. Liverpool almost took the lead in the 4th minute, but Real Madrid’s Raul Asencio prevented it with a strong defensive effort at the very last moment. Afterwards, it was only the “Reds” who were able to create scoring opportunities. But they either failed because of Thibaut Courtois or because of their own efficiency.
However, it didn’t take long after the restart before the hosts scored their first goal. Curtis Jones, Conor Bradley and Alexis Mac Allister combined freely in a small space before Mac Allister found a way past Courtois from a good 11 meters.
This is how it goes
With 5 wins from 5 games, Liverpool can already plan for the knockout phase in the Champions League. Things look completely different at Real Madrid. The defending champion remains sitting on his 6 points. Direct qualification for the round of 16 is probably already off the table after the third defeat.
The 6th of a total of 8 rounds in the league phase is coming up in two weeks. The next difficult guest appearance is already coming up for Real, the Spanish champions are traveling to Bergamo to face the in-form Atalanta. Liverpool also face Girona away from home.
