After an obvious crisis, Liverpool showed that their victory over Aston Villa on Saturday wasn’t just a brief respite, but the first step on their way back to the top of the game, by beating Real Madrid in a huge Champions League clash at Anfield on Tuesday.
The only goal of the game came in the 61st minute, when Alexis Mac Allister headed a fine Dominik Szoboszlai free-kick home from close range.
Teams
Both managers faced selection headaches.
Arne Slot deployed Liverpool in a 4-2-3-1, with Giorgi Mamardashvili in goal behind a back four of Conor Bradley, Ibrahima Konaté, Virgil van Dijk, and Andy Robertson. The double pivot featured Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister, while Dominik Szoboszlai, Florian Wirtz, and Mohamed Salah supported striker Hugo Ekitike.
Key absentees included Alisson Becker (hamstring), Jeremie Frimpong (muscle injury), Alexander Isak (groin), and Stefan Bajčetić (hamstring), forcing Slot to lean on youth and versatility.
Xabi Alonso’s Real Madrid also lined up in a 4-2-3-1: Thibaut Courtois in goal; Álvaro Carreras, Dean Huijsen, Éder Militão, and Federico Valverde across the back; Aurélien Tchouaméni and Eduardo Camavinga anchoring the midfield, with Arda Güler, Jude Bellingham, and Vinícius Júnior behind Kylian Mbappé.
Madrid missed Antonio Rüdiger (hamstring), David Alaba (muscle), and Dani Carvajal (knee), limiting Alonso’s defensive options. Trent Alexander-Arnold, who left Liverpool for Real Madrid this summer, was on the bench.
Match Recap: Courtois vs Anfield
The opening half was a duel between Liverpool’s relentless pressing and Courtois’ brilliance. The Belgian goalkeeper produced three world-class saves to deny Dominik Szoboszlai, including a fingertip stop from a curling effort in the 27th minute and another from a thunderous strike just before halftime. He also tipped headers from Virgil van Dijk and Hugo Ekitike over the bar early in the second half, keeping Madrid alive against the tide of red shirts.
Liverpool thought they had a penalty in the first half when Szoboszlai’s shot struck Tchouaméni’s arm, but after a lengthy VAR review, the decision was overturned—a call that sparked debate but ultimately proved correct under UEFA’s interpretation.
The breakthrough finally arrived in the 61st minute. Szoboszlai delivered a teasing free-kick from the right, and Mac Allister, ghosting between markers, glanced a header beyond Courtois to send Anfield into raptures. VAR checked for offside, but the goal stood.
Real’s best chance came in the 75th minute, when Mbappé’s half-volley curled agonizingly wide of the far post. Before that, Bellignham had a good chance but was thwarted by Mamardashvili. Beyond that, Madrid rarely troubled the Liverpool ‘keeper, whose calm distribution under pressure was a quiet highlight of Liverpool’s performance.
The closing stages added drama as Alexander-Arnold entered to a chorus of boos in the 81st minute. His every touch was jeered, a subplot that underscored the emotional weight of this fixture.
Despite late Madrid pressure, Liverpool held firm, sealing a win that felt as symbolic as it was strategic.
Mac Allister: The Unlikely Hero
Known for his composure in midfield, Alexis Mac Allister delivered the decisive blow with a perfectly timed header—his first Champions League goal for Liverpool. Beyond the strike, his positional discipline and ability to recycle possession were vital in neutralizing Madrid’s midfield trio. On a night of stars, the Argentine shone brightly.
Courtois vs Szoboszlai: A Battle for the Ages
If not for Thibaut Courtois, this could have been a rout. His eight saves included reflex stops from Szoboszlai and commanding claims under aerial bombardment.
Szoboszlai, meanwhile, was Liverpool’s creative engine—fashioning chances, delivering the decisive free-kick, and testing Courtois repeatedly. Their duel was a microcosm of elite football: skill versus resilience.
Tactical Discipline from Slot
After weeks of inconsistency, Arne Slot produced a masterclass. Liverpool’s pressing traps suffocated Madrid’s build-up, especially down the right where Conor Bradley nullified Vinícius Júnior.
The decision to start Wirtz paid off, adding guile between the lines. Slot’s blueprint—compact shape, aggressive pressing, and set-piece precision—was executed to perfection.
Madrid’s Midfield Conundrum
Despite boasting Bellingham, Camavinga, and Tchouaméni, Madrid lacked vertical penetration. Their 61% possession yielded just two shots on target, and Mbappé was often isolated.
Alonso’s side missed Rüdiger’s leadership at the back and Carvajal’s overlapping threat, exposing a reliance on individual brilliance that never materialized.
The Trent Subplot
The return of Trent Alexander-Arnold in white was surreal. Booed relentlessly, his cameo was symbolic of shifting loyalties and narratives. While his impact was minimal, the emotional undercurrent added spice to an already charged evening.
Opinions vary on whether the England international deserved such a reception, but the home supporters certainly had the right to express their feelings.
What This Means
Liverpool climb to nine points from four matches, level with Madrid but behind on goal difference. The win ends Madrid’s unbeaten run and injects momentum into Liverpool’s season ahead of a Premier League showdown with Manchester City. For Alonso, this was a reality check: even Europe’s aristocrats can be humbled when tactical clarity combines with Anfield’s fury.
Upcoming Fixtures
- Liverpool: Manchester City (Nov 9);
- Real Madrid: Rayo Vallecano (Nov 9).
This was more than a win for Liverpool—it was a statement. Bruised but unbowed, the Premier League champions reminded Europe of their pedigree. Real Madrid, for all their talent, learned that dominance on paper means little under the Anfield’s lights.
One goal, one roar, and one unforgettable night in the Champions League.
