Real Madrid got themselves a huge result away at Anfield, as they defeated Liverpool by a a 5-2 scoreline. Even the most optimistic of fans would not have foreseen Carlo Ancelotti’s side putting the ball into the back of the net five times against the Reds, especially when you consider the form that Los Blancos have been in in recent times.
Thus, one would be hoping that this result against Liverpool proves to be a real confidence booster for them and they keep performing like this for the rest of the campaign. Vinicius Junior and Karim Benzema both scored braces on the night, while Eder Militao was on the mark as well.
It would be a bit too early to say that the tie with Liverpool is done and dusted. But most probably it is. Especially with the second leg being at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Even Steven Gerrard does not seem to be confident about his former club’s chances away at the Santiago Bernabeu and expects Real Madrid to score at least a couple of goals. As reported by Liverpool Echo, he told BT Sport:
"“Well look, it’s a game of football and anything can happen, you know that but you look at the individual players you’ve got, the quality and experience, it’s an extremely big mountain to climb.“I know I’m more optimistic than most when it comes down to Liverpool – I’m biased as well, but it’s Real Madrid.“You’re talking about these individual players and I can’t not see Real Madrid scoring a couple of goals because Liverpool are gonna have to be so aggressive away from home.“With the quality they’ve got on the break – Vinicius, Benzema, Modric bursting from midfield – players returning from injury.”"
Steven Gerrard makes superb Real Madrid prediction for second leg against Liverpool
Liverpool had started the game extremely well against Real Madrid. The Reds were looking like the much better team and had scored twice within the first 15 minutes.
Most other teams would have gone into damage control mode under those circumstances and started playing defensively, hang onto a result that they can turn around in the second leg. Not Real Madrid though.
Instead, they went on to score five goals of their own, in a historic night at Anfield. Thus, Ancelotti’s side have a foot in the quarter-finals already. And if they can keep playing like this, a repeat does not seem impossible, with no outright favourites in the competition at the moment.