Not even Courtois can save Real Madrid from drowning at Anfield
- Pre-match context
- Atmosphere at Anfield and defensive performance
- Real Madrid's attacking difficulties
- Performance of the defence and goalkeeper
- Line-up and substitutions
- Decisive fouls and Liverpool's goal
- Final score and key moments of the match
Pre-match context
Real Madrid arrived at Anfield with their minds set on Saturday's match against Rayo Vallecano. Liverpool approached the Champions League clash with Real Madrid with their minds on Manchester City and how to prevent Guardiola's side from pulling away in the Premier League next weekend.
One of the most interesting matches of the European fixture was diluted by a format that does little damage when defeats are conceded. Last season's PSG is a good example of this, with a preliminary phase where they almost went out but ended up winning the final.
Atmosphere at Anfield and defensive performance
In any case, the rain at Anfield and the ‘You'll never walk alone’ chant welcomed their historic Xabi Alonso in a way that only the Premier League knows how to do. The team in white played not to lose and ended up losing because their attackers tend to get stuck when they face a well-organised defence. It happened in the derby at the Metropolitano and it happened again in Liverpool.
Real Madrid's attacking difficulties
Vinicius and Mbappé against the world. Too many defenders in front of them and too many metres to cover to reach the opposition's goal. The Brazilian's dribbles came to nothing and the Frenchman's ended in long-range shots that were blocked by the opposition players.
Performance of the defence and goalkeeper
Courtois kept Real Madrid alive with five historic saves. Good hands down, reflexes inches from the goal line and a one-on-one with Szoboszlai that prevented a certain 1-0. Huijsen cannot find his level when faced with opponents who go for the tackle and Militao has to work hard to bring order to the back line. Carreras found the wing, but not the crosses the team needed, and Fede Valverde commented after the match that he was unable to contribute in attack because Wirtz, Mac Allister and Gravenberch were getting in his way.
Line-up and substitutions
Alonso moved Camavinga to the centre alongside Tchouaméni to protect Güler and give Bellingham more space, but that did not solve the problem in attack. He took Mbappé off and isolated Vinicius. The substitutions came too late and were poorly timed. Rodrygo came on for Camavinga in the 60th minute to take on the entire Liverpool defence, and in the 90th minute, Trent and Brahim came on for reasons that were not entirely clear.
Decisive fouls and Liverpool's goal
Fouls near the area doomed Real Madrid. They knew that Szoboszlai has a magic touch with his right foot, and in one of those moments, he put the ball into the six-yard box, where Mac Allister only had to tap it in to score against the Whites. ‘The old man must be jumping for joy,’ said Kevin Mac Allister, Alexis' brother and a player for Union Saint-Gilloise, who had just finished playing his match at the Metropolitano against Atlético Madrid. The sons of the legendary Carlos Javier Mac Allister, who played for Bilardo's Boca in the 90s, are a fine line of players.
Final score and key moments of the match
There were no more chances for the Whites, who had two shots on goal in the final stretch, overwhelmed by a flat match in which they contributed little to the spectacle. Three points slip away, although the important ones are those on Saturday in Vallecas. Thus is written the history of a Champions League that has turned the big European matches into a nuisance in the middle of November.
