Liverpool produced another memorable performance under the Anfield lights as they beat Real Madrid 1-0 in the Champions League.
Alexis Mac Allister scored the only goal in what was an absorbing encounter as Trent Alexander-Arnold, the subject of much of the pre-match chatter, returned to his boyhood club for the first time since leaving in the summer.
The scoreline would have looked much more impressive for Arne Slot’s side, were it not for an inspired performance from Real goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, who made a series of impressive saves in both halves.
Under manager Xabi Alonso, Los Blancos had enjoyed their best start to a season after 14 games for 64 years and were unbeaten in the Champions League this season.
However, they were defeated by a rejuvenated Reds team, who posted back-to-back wins for the first time since September.
Another raucous night under the lights of Anfield
With the Anfield crowd in excellent voice, Mac Allister had the first glimpse of the goal in the game, curling a shot wide from inside the area.
At the other end, Kylian Mbappé was on fire after a careful exchange of passes between the Frenchman, Vinicius Jr and Jude Bellingham. It was, if not exactly threatening, an early reminder of the attacking quality the visitors possess.
After a fierce start, the match finally calmed down, but in the 27th minute, the home team had a great chance to break through.
From a loose ball, Florian Wirtz quickly advanced down Liverpool’s right before rolling the ball across the area to Dominik Szoboszlai. The Hungarian seemed destined to score, but the gigantic figure of Courtois quickly came out to quell the danger.
The Reds fans thought they had been awarded a penalty when Szoboszlai’s shot hit Aurelien Tchouameni, but a VAR check ruled the French midfielder’s hand was too close to his body.
Liverpool’s number eight was back in the thick of the action shortly before half-time when his shot stung the palms of Courtois.
Moments later it was Liverpool stopper Giorgi Mamardashvili’s turn to show his credentials after Bellingham had beaten Ibrahima Konate in the box. After a shot by the Englishman from a tight angle, the imposing Georgian was available to deny the shot.
It turned out to be the last action of an exciting first half that would continue in the same vein after the break.
Courtois finally defeated
Two minutes after the restart, Courtois once again rescued Real Madrid when he deflected Virgil van Dijk’s header from close range after a corner kick. At the next corner, the big Belgian was once again in the right place to prevent Hugo Ekitike from seeing the net swell.
But on the hour mark, Courtois was finally beaten when, from another set piece, Mac Allister headed in a free kick from Szoboszlai for his first goal of the season and giving the hosts a deserved lead.
The noise levels inside Anfield, which had already been at a fever pitch throughout the match, suddenly erupted as the hosts contemplated a memorable victory.
That joy turned to mockery in the 80th minute, when the theme of much of the pre-match conversation was finally fulfilled.
To a chorus of deafening boos, Alexander-Arnold was introduced as Real searched for a way back into the tie.
But the momentum showed little sign of changing. Substitute Cody Gakpo made another clever save from Courtois before Eder Militao dove to the ground to parry Mohamed Salah’s close-range shot.
