Despite losing 5-2 to Atletico Madrid earlier in the season, many would argue Tuesday's 1-0 loss to Liverpool was a more embarrassing performance from Real Madrid. Aside from Thibaut Courtois, who saved Los Blancos from even further embarrassment, Xabi Alonso's men pretty much failed to show up at every position on the pitch.
Dean Huijsen was too much of a "chill guy" and had easily his worst game in a Real Madrid shirt, Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior were basically nonexistent, Jude Bellingham and Arda Güler failed to create anything, and Eduardo Camavinga was like a fish out of water on the right wing.
And that seemed to be the biggest issue for Real Madrid yesterday, the lack of any real attacking threat whether it was from the left, right or center. While playing Camavinga as a right winger against a weaker Valencia side worked, that doesn't mean Xabi Alonso should've used him there in such a big game.
Xabi Alonso has loads of attacking talent on the bench he could've used in such a game like Tuesday's but his stubbornness and refusal to play one attacker in particular could prove to be a downfall of his over the season.
Xabi Alonso can't keep snubbing Real Madrid's biggest prodigy (Liverpool proved that)
In this case, we are talking about Endrick. The Brazilian has only featured once so far this season, as a substitute in Real's 4-0 victory against Valencia when the game was all but over.
It's been well established since Xabi Alonso arrived that Endrick didn't seem to be in his plans, but given the team is in desperate need of a right winger, Xabi Alonso can't afford to keep snubbing the teenager every game.
Endrick has had a tough start to life at Real Madrid after arriving last summer. A number of injuries as well as sitting behind the likes of Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior, and his confidence has taken some major hits.
However, the Brazilian has had moments where he's shown his class, scoring in all of his La Liga, Champions League, and Copa del Rey debuts last season, showing he has what it takes to see game time for Los Blancos.
Endrick seems destined for a January loan move, with Lyon being the rumored landing destination. But until then, it would be in Xabi Alonso and the team's best interest to at least give the teenager a fair shot at regular gametime. In his small cameo on the right wing against Valencia, Endrick looked dangerous and up for the challenge more so than anyone else Xabi Alonso has tried at right wing.