Liverpool will look back on their Champions League history as they grasp at straws left behind by a brutal 5-2 defeat by Real Madrid – but reality suggests that particular miracle may be beyond them.
If last season’s Champions League final in Paris was a tight affair that could have gone either way before Vinicius Jr struck, it was an Anfield evisceration – a moment in history gone wrong for Liverpool.
The atmosphere before kick-off was raucous, with anticipation for the holders’ arrival with revenge in mind, exacerbated by Liverpool fans’ understandable determination to register their disgust with UEFA after it initially caused chaos at the Stade de France in May. Blamed supporters for
The Champions League anthem was blared at deafening volume while a banner emblazoned with the words “UEFA Liars” took pride of place right in front of the coupe.
When Darwin Nunez and Mohamed Salah put Liverpool 2-0 up inside 14 minutes, manager Jurgen Klopp was fist-pumping in the stands to fuel the excitement.
In the closing minutes, Liverpool were dispatched by Carlo Ancelotti’s brilliantly ruthless side, players could be heard shouting at each other as Klopp stood motionless with his hands in his pockets.
Liverpool conceded five goals at Anfield for the first time in Europe and in the closing stages it was Real who looked to add to their tally rather than score a third.
This is when we call up another, more delicious, part of Liverpool’s history.
Remember the Champions League semi-final in 2019 when Liverpool overcame a 3-0 first-leg deficit against Barcelona at Anfield? Expect to hear it mentioned again before the second leg.
However, there are important differences.
Real Madrid is stronger than this flaky Barcelona team. Liverpool are nowhere near the Liverpool of 2019 and the second leg of this last 16 tie is being played at the Bernabeu, not in front of the Kop.
Liverpool made the kind of start that has become their Anfield trademark in the Champions League with those two early goals, but once Real got a foothold in the game, Klopp’s display all season long. The cracks were completely gone in midfield and a weak defense prone to costly mistakes.
Recent victories against Everton and Newcastle United have at least hinted at Liverpool’s renaissance in the Premier League, but doubts remain as to whether all their ills have been cured.
Nevertheless, Newcastle created plenty of chances and Reds goalkeeper Alisson was superb in a 2-0 win over Tyneside. There was never going to be such a waste in front of the real goal.
Vinicius’ first goal was a piece of individual brilliance with a superb finish, but Alisson was at fault when he hacked a clearance straight past the Brazilian to allow Real to equalise.
Real oozed class and control While Liverpool faltered, Ancelotti was poker-faced and cool in his technical area as Anfield was silenced.
Trent Alexander-Arnold, who had a tough night against Vinicius, switched off along with the rest of the defense as Eder Milatov was allowed to trot unmarked to get on the end of Luka Modric’s free-kick to put Real in front. .
It was effectively. Game Over. The real never looked back.
Joe Gomez’s terrible night was summed up by the misfortune of Karim Benzema’s shot past Alisson to make it four, and it was to be worse.
Liverpool’s defense has been poor but their midfield has provided little protection this season. Seeing the 37-year-old Modric pull away from the laboring Fabinho and beat Stefan Bajsic for Benzema’s fifth and final goal will still be a delight for the Kufr fans at home.
Fabinho and Jordan Henderson were helpless in the face of not only Modric’s movement and power – Liverpool fans applauded warmly when he was substituted in the closing seconds – but also Federico Valderde and Eduardo Camavinga.
Liverpool’s midfield needs immediate attention and renewal. Klopp will know but these difficult 90 minutes will crystallize that thought.
Real ended the game to the sound of “Oles” from the visitors. Their Liverpool counterparts, by contrast, were in shock.
Real is a really remarkable aspect. His solid self-belief was on display last season when he survived a scare against Chelsea and somehow scored twice in injury time to save, then win, a semi-final against Manchester City.
Liverpool’s early two-goal burst would have eliminated lesser sides but Real, with Modric in great play, Benzema a constant threat and Vinicius near unstoppable, simply carried on as if nothing had happened.
They have remarkable stamina, resilience and mental strength that have made them the most decorated club in the competition’s history for success.
Liverpool have been trying to settle the score with Real since their 2018 Champions League final defeat in Kiev – a long source of bitterness following Salah’s injury after a tangle with Sergio Ramos – but it is an obstacle that They are struggling to overcome, having lost to the Spaniards in the quarter-finals in 2021 and the final last season.
Klopp and Liverpool won’t think it’s over, nor should they give their form to overcome seemingly insurmountable odds.
This Liverpool team, however, is flawed in a way that makes that result impossible, at least not against the utterly unforgiving nature of Real Madrid.
If Liverpool pull this off, it could rank alongside any return in Europe.
