English Premier League club, Liverpool FC continued their perfect start to the 20224/2025 UEFA Champions League season with a dominant 2-0 win over the competition’s most successful team, Real Madrid CF.
The match which took place at Anfield in Liverpool, England was the fifth match for both teams in this season’s competition and a must win for the visitors whose hope of qualification for the next round depends on results in their last four group matches.
However, it was the host who dominated the match right from kick off as the Reds continuously piled pressure on Real Madrid’s defense line while the Spanish capital club seemed too handicapped to respond.
French forward, Kylian Mbappe, who led the attack for Real Madrid was hapless against the Reds defense marshalled by Dutch captain Virgil Van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate, Andrew Robertson, Connor Bradley and goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher throughout the encounter.
After the first half which was largely dominated by the home side failed to produce any goal, Liverpool eventually took the lead in the 52nd minute when a well worked team move ended at the feet of Argentine midfielder Alexis MacAllister who took one touch before firing an unstoppable shot past goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.
It did not take too long after the goal before Real Madrid were presented with an opportunity to level the scores as a penalty was awarded to the Spanish league for a foul by Liverpool defender, Andrew Robertson.
Kylian Mbappe stepped up and took the penalty but goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher made a terrific save to preserve his team’s lead which delighted the Anfield crowd and compounded Mbappe’s woes.
Liverpool forward, Mohammed Salah was also presented an opportunity to add his name to the score sheet when a penalty was awarded to his team in the 69th minute of play. The Egyptian forward sent the goalkeeper the wrong way but failed to score as the ball rebounded off the post.
The Reds continued to pile pressure on Real Madrid’s defense and eventually got rewarded when Dutch forward, Cody Gakpo headed home an Andrew Robertson cross from a corner to double Liverpool’s lead in the 76th minute.
The score line remained unchanged until the final whistle was blown and the Reds recorded their first win over Real Madrid since 2009 and broke their 14 years jinx against the Spanish side which has cost the English side two UEFA Champions League titles.
Meanwhile, Liverpool remained top of the standings having picked up fifteen points from five matches while Real Madrid are in 24th position with 6 points from five matches. While Liverpool have won all their matches in the competition, Real Madrid have lost three out of their own five matches.
Real Madrid have also lost three group stage matches in the competition for the first time ever and are in danger of being knocked out of the competition if they failed to turn things around in their last three matches.
