Slot breaks Real Madrid jinx as Liverpool trump European champions

Slot breaks Real Madrid jinx as Liverpool trump European champions

Faruq Ibrahim 23:00 - 27.11.2024

Arne Slot sent a chilling warning to Europe with the scalp of the current champions, Real Madrid.

Liverpool secured their first victory against Real Madrid since 2009 thanks to a 2-0 victory at Anfield.

Real Madrid have dominated this tie in recent years, including two Champions League finals; however, thanks to goals from Alexis MacAllister and Cody Gakpo, the Reds ended the run of eight games without a win against Los Blancos.

Key match details

Billed to be an explosive encounter, the game had a tepid start, with both teams sizing each other up. 

Chances in the first half were few and far between. Jude Bellingham had a couple of speculative attempts, while Darwin Nunez was a constant thorn in the side of the Real Madrid backline. 

It was not until the 55th minute that Liverpool finally broke the deadlock. Alexis Max Allister combined cleverly with Bradley before unleashing a shot that Thibault Courtois could not quite reach.

Caoimhín Kelleher then produced a stunning penalty save to deny Mbappé in the 61st minute, before Mohamed Salah spurned a gilt-edged opportunity from the spot as well, blasting his effort wide off the post. 

Undaunted, Liverpool sealed the win six minutes later, as Cody Gakpo towered above the Madrid defence to head in Andy Robertson's pinpoint cross, ensuring the Reds' perfect European record remained intact.

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