Real Madrid finally lost a Champions League game this season, and it was long overdue. Xabi Alonso started the same team that won the El Clásico, hoping for a replication of some sort, but could not recreate the intensity and intent with which the team played at the Bernabéu.
Los Blancos went to Anfield with much anticipation, having upset Liverpool on so many occasions on and off the field. This was destined to be a great night but turned out to be anything but.
Usually, at the end of a good game, Real Madrid have many great players - some goal scorers, some midfielders - but you know you’ve had an awful game when the only player who performed well was the goalkeeper.
Thibaut Courtois was once again the sole reason why Madrid were spared humiliation away from home tonight. Had it not been for the Belgian, this could easily have been a 5-0 scoreline or worse.
Real Madrid's best player at Liverpool was exactly who fans didn’t want it to be
At the conclusion of the 90 minutes, Courtois had registered a total of eight saves. And if you watched the game, you’d know that these were truly world-class saves, the kind that must have made Liverpool fans and players pull their hair out.
And so, Real Madrid were lucky to have Courtois save them from embarrassment. But they were also unfortunate to have only him showing up in big games. Barring him, only Jude Bellingham’s presence showed character and genuine intent to make something happen. The rest were, at best, yawning and passing the ball around.
Hear me out. I notice a pattern here. Real Madrid are perfect one week and poor the next. They hover between qualities like moods, and that inconsistency won’t take them far. Xabi Alonso has had enough time to make this team cohesive. Yes, they are in transition, but there was not even a trace of that visible tonight.
Madrid were, in all honesty, bullied tonight. They were beaten in intensity, pressing, and overall tactics. It felt as though Liverpool dictated where every player in white moved, as if they had control of their strings. The worst part? This is a Liverpool side that has been struggling domestically.
Los Blancos’ defense was in shambles. They either couldn’t see the ball go past them or simply didn’t care enough. I refuse to believe there’s another reason beyond those two. The midfield, again, lacked character apart from Bellingham. Arda Guler was everywhere and nowhere at the same time.
Vinícius Júnior was too busy having fun with the ball to remember that football is a team game. Kylian Mbappé had moments where he could have changed the course of the match, but the ghost of Anfield stole yet another night from him.
A lot of questions must be asked tonight, many of the manager, and equally many of the players. This was not a game to lose. Courtois saved you until he couldn’t anymore. Be grateful, but introspect.