After an apparent disaster, Liverpool confirmed that their victory over Aston Villa on Saturday wasn’t only a temporary respite, however step one on their method again to the highest of the sport, by beating Actual Madrid in an enormous Champions League conflict at Anfield on Tuesday.
The one purpose of the sport got here within the 61st minute, when Alexis Mac Allister headed a fantastic Dominik Szoboszlai free-kick dwelling from shut vary.
Groups
Each managers confronted choice complications.
Arne Slot deployed Liverpool in a 4-2-3-1, with Giorgi Mamardashvili in purpose behind a again 4 of Conor Bradley, Ibrahima Konaté, Virgil van Dijk, and Andy Robertson. The double pivot featured Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister, whereas Dominik Szoboszlai, Florian Wirtz, and Mohamed Salah supported striker Hugo Ekitike.
Key absentees included Alisson Becker (hamstring), Jeremie Frimpong (muscle damage), Alexander Isak (groin), and Stefan Bajčetić (hamstring), forcing Slot to lean on youth and flexibility.
Xabi Alonso’s Actual Madrid additionally lined up in a 4-2-3-1: Thibaut Courtois in purpose; Álvaro Carreras, Dean Huijsen, Éder Militão, and Federico Valverde throughout the again; 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 choices. Trent Alexander-Arnold, who left Liverpool for Actual Madrid this summer time, was on the bench.
Match Recap: Courtois vs Anfield
The opening half was a duel between Liverpool’s relentless urgent and Courtois’ brilliance. The Belgian goalkeeper produced three world-class saves to disclaim Dominik Szoboszlai, together with a fingertip cease from a curling effort within the twenty seventh minute and one other from a thunderous strike simply earlier than halftime. He additionally tipped headers from Virgil van Dijk and Hugo Ekitike over the bar early within the second half, holding Madrid alive towards the tide of purple shirts.
Liverpool thought that they had a penalty within the first half when Szoboszlai’s shot struck Tchouaméni’s arm, however after a prolonged VAR overview, the choice was overturned—a name that sparked debate however in the end proved right beneath UEFA’s interpretation.
The breakthrough lastly arrived within the 61st minute. Szoboszlai delivered a teasing free-kick from the fitting, and Mac Allister, ghosting between markers, glanced a header past Courtois to ship Anfield into raptures. VAR checked for offside, however the purpose stood.
Actual’s finest likelihood got here within the seventy fifth minute, when Mbappé’s half-volley curled agonizingly broad of the far submit. Earlier than that, Bellignham had likelihood however was thwarted by Mamardashvili. Past that, Madrid hardly ever troubled the Liverpool ‘keeper, whose calm distribution beneath stress was a quiet spotlight of Liverpool’s efficiency.
The closing levels added drama as Alexander-Arnold entered to a refrain of boos within the 81st minute. His each contact was jeered, a subplot that underscored the emotional weight of this fixture.
Regardless of late Madrid stress, Liverpool held agency, sealing a win that felt as symbolic because it was strategic.
Mac Allister: The Unlikely Hero
Identified for his composure in midfield, Alexis Mac Allister delivered the decisive blow with a superbly timed header—his first Champions League purpose for Liverpool. Past the strike, his positional self-discipline and talent to recycle possession had been important in neutralizing Madrid’s midfield trio. On an evening of stars, the Argentine shone brightly.
Courtois vs Szoboszlai: A Battle for the Ages
If not for Thibaut Courtois, this might have been a rout. His eight saves included reflex stops from Szoboszlai and commanding claims beneath aerial bombardment.
Szoboszlai, in the meantime, was Liverpool’s inventive engine—fashioning probabilities, delivering the decisive free-kick, and testing Courtois repeatedly. Their duel was a microcosm of elite soccer: talent versus resilience.
Tactical Self-discipline from Slot
After weeks of inconsistency, Arne Slot produced a masterclass. Liverpool’s urgent traps suffocated Madrid’s build-up, particularly down the fitting the place Conor Bradley nullified Vinícius Júnior.
The choice to start out Wirtz paid off, including guile between the traces. Slot’s blueprint—compact form, aggressive urgent, and set-piece precision—was executed to perfection.
Madrid’s Midfield Conundrum
Regardless of boasting Bellingham, Camavinga, and Tchouaméni, Madrid lacked vertical penetration. Their 61% possession yielded simply two photographs on course, and Mbappé was usually remoted.
Alonso’s aspect missed Rüdiger’s management on the again and Carvajal’s overlapping menace, exposing a reliance on particular person brilliance that by no means 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. Whereas his influence was minimal, the emotional undercurrent added spice to an already charged night.
Opinions range on whether or not the England worldwide deserved such a reception, however the dwelling supporters actually had the fitting to precise their emotions.
What This Means
Liverpool climb to 9 factors from 4 matches, degree with Madrid however behind on purpose distinction. The win ends Madrid’s unbeaten run and injects momentum into Liverpool’s season forward of a Premier League showdown with Manchester Metropolis. For Alonso, this was a actuality examine: even Europe’s aristocrats could be humbled when tactical readability combines with Anfield’s fury.
Upcoming Fixtures
- Liverpool: Manchester Metropolis (Nov 9);
- Actual Madrid: Rayo Vallecano (Nov 9).
This was greater than a win for Liverpool—it was an announcement. Bruised however unbowed, the Premier League champions reminded Europe of their pedigree. Actual Madrid, for all their expertise, realized that dominance on paper means little beneath the Anfield’s lights.
One purpose, one roar, and one unforgettable evening within the Champions League.
