Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso praised Thibaut Courtois after the Belgian produced a magnificent performance in goal against Liverpool.
Los Blancos lost 1-0 at Anfield in the Champions League, although the scoreline could have been much worse for Madrid were it not for the heroics of Courtois, with Alexis Mac Allister’s header in the 61st minute proving the difference.
The Madrid goalkeeper made eight saves, including a series of brilliant attempts from Dominik Szoboszlai, marking the first time he has made at least five saves in a European match since facing Arsenal in April.
Courtois, who frustrated Liverpool in the 2021-22 Champions League final in Paris, conceded the first shot on goal he faced against Marseille on the opening day of this season’s competition, but then made 19 consecutive saves in Europe before being beaten with the Reds’ eighth shot on goal on Tuesday.
“For me we have the best [goalkeeper]we are lucky to have [Courtois]He made some great saves today,” Alonso told Amazon Prime.
One of the biggest talking points ahead of the match was Trent Alexander-Arnold’s return to Anfield following his move to Madrid in the summer.
And indeed, the England international was greeted with an unsurprisingly cold reception when he was introduced from the bench.
@XabiAlonso : “We competed well, but we lacked a little threat in the final third.” pic.twitter.com/Ryn6fNzf4Q
— Real Madrid CF (@realmadriden) November 4, 2025
“Well, it was to be expected,” Alonso said of the Liverpool fans’ reaction.
“He was focused and wanted to be a part of this. So, it’s the first time. It has challenges for him, it’s a new experience. Step by step, but we’re happy to have him.”
Reflecting on the match as a whole, Alonso added: “It was a very, very close match.
“The momentum, they took the lead and after we tried, it was always going to be an intense game. We competed well, but we lacked a little threat in the final third.
“Unfortunately we couldn’t get anything, we tried, sure, we got to the last line, but we didn’t create as many chances as we expected.
“We are now in the group stage of the Champions League and there are still many points at stake.”
Liverpool limited Madrid to just two attempts on goal and 0.45 expected goals.
This is Los Blancos’ lowest xG in a match in more than a year.
