Real Madrid couldn’t hold off Liverpool on last Tuesday night at Anfield, losing 1–0 in the fourth round of the Champions League group stage. Alexis Mac Allister scored the only goal of the match with a header midway through the second half, ending Madrid’s perfect run in the competition.
It was a tough night for the Spanish team, who found themselves under pressure from the very start. Liverpool attacked with energy, pushed high up the field, and forced several big saves from Thibaut Courtois. The Belgian goalkeeper was once again one of Madrid’s best players, making at least six important stops, three of them against Dominik Szoboszlai, including an incredible one-on-one save in the first half.
Despite Courtois’s heroics, the Reds finally broke through in the 61st minute. Mac Allister found space inside the box and headed past the Madrid keeper after a well-placed cross. Liverpool had other good chances, but Courtois denied Van Dijk and Ekitiké to keep the score close.
For Real Madrid, it was a night of frustration. Vinícius Jr. and Mbappé were well-marked and struggled to find space against a strong defensive line led by right-back Conor Bradley, one of Liverpool’s standouts. Madrid tried to react in the final minutes, but couldn’t find the rhythm needed to change the result.
The match also marked Trent Alexander-Arnold’s return to the Anfield crowd after his controversial exit in the last transfer window. He came on in the 80th minute and was greeted with loud boos from the home fans.
In the end, Liverpool’s energy and precision made the difference. The English side climbed to sixth place in the overall Champions League standings with nine points, while Real Madrid remained fifth, also with nine, but behind on goal difference.
Now it’s time for Madrid to turn the page and focus on what’s next. The team needs to regroup and keep fighting at the top of the group stage. The next challenge comes on November 26, at 21:00, when Real visits Olympiacos in Athens.
