Nov 28, (V7N) - Liverpool continued their flawless Champions League campaign by defeating defending champions Real Madrid 2-0 at Anfield on Wednesday. Goals from Alexis Mac Allister and substitute Cody Gakpo sealed the Reds' victory, maintaining their perfect record and extending their dominance under new manager Arne Slot.

Mbappé's Struggles Highlight Madrid's Setback

Despite Kylian Mbappé earning a penalty after a foul by Andy Robertson, his spot-kick was expertly saved by Caoimhin Kelleher, epitomizing Madrid’s difficult night. In the absence of stars like Vinícius Junior, Rodrygo, and Eder Militão, Madrid struggled for cohesion, slipping to 24th place in the revamped group stage table.

Manager Carlo Ancelotti supported Mbappé after the miss, saying, "It is a difficult time for Kylian. We have to be patient with him; he is an exceptional player."

Liverpool's Perfect Run

Slot's Liverpool have now won 17 of their first 19 games across all competitions. This victory also ended an eight-game winless streak against Madrid, including painful losses in the 2018 and 2022 Champions League finals under Jürgen Klopp.

The win leaves Liverpool top of their group and well-placed for direct qualification to the last 16, a stark contrast to Madrid's precarious position.

Match Highlights

  • Courtois Heroics: Thibaut Courtois kept Madrid alive in the first half with saves from Darwin Núñez and Conor Bradley.
  • Mac Allister's Opener: Bradley's cross set up Mac Allister, who coolly slotted the ball into the corner in the 52nd minute.
  • Missed Penalties: After Salah's trickery drew a foul from Ferland Mendy, he missed from the spot, firing wide.
  • Gakpo's Clincher: A perfectly timed header from Robertson's cross sealed the result in the 76th minute.

Liverpool’s high-energy performance and tactical discipline are hallmarks of Slot’s style, keeping them atop both the Champions League and the Premier League standings. The club’s resurgence this season has reinvigorated their push for domestic and European dominance.

Meanwhile, Madrid face a fight to salvage their campaign amid injury woes and inconsistent form.

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