If this was a night for big statements in the Champions League, Liverpool made one — emphatically.
A 2-0 victory not only exorcised some demons from previous European meetings with Real Madrid but underlined why Liverpool and the Spaniards occupy very different positions in the league phase.
Not for the first time this season, Arne Slot’s side turned on the style in the second half thanks to goals from Alexis Mac Allister and Cody Gakpo, and could even afford a penalty miss from Mohamed Salah.
But while Liverpool march on, Madrid — who spurned their own spot-kick through Kylian Mbappe — now face a fight to ensure their place in the knockout phase.
Are Liverpool the best in Europe?
In the opening weeks of the season, Liverpool’s impressive start was met with the caveat that they had not faced sufficiently difficult opponents to truly gauge how strong they might be to compete for major trophies.
Sitting top of the Premier League after 12 games and the Champions League group after five games — unbeaten against the likes of Chelsea, Arsenal, AC Milan, Bayern Leverkusen, and Real Madrid — there is justified confidence that Arne Slot’s side look the real deal.
What was so impressive about Liverpool’s dominant victory over Madrid was that they showed multiple sides to their game. At times in the first half, they were patient in possession as they looked to work out Madrid’s set-up and settle into the game. Equally, when the game warranted it, they were quick to raise the tempo with flying challenges and aggressive play in and out of possession.
Intricate passing in the final third? Just look at Alexis Mac Allister’s opener. Piercing, direct play from back to front? Run the tape back on the sequence leading to Mohamed Salah’s penalty. Their second goal? That would be from a set piece, their fifth of the season and an area they continue to be dominant.
Declaring Liverpool as the best team in Europe at the moment may seem sensationalist right now, but naming a team who would look forward to playing Slot’s swashbuckling side might take you a while.
Mark Carey
What now for Mbappe?
This was not the kind of performance Madrid fans would have expected from Mbappe on a big Champions League night. Sadly, it was perhaps all too predictable after his disappointing start to life in the Spanish capital.
With Vinicius Junior out injured, it seemed like the perfect opportunity for Mbappe to assert himself on his preferred left-side of attack. He started in that position against Leganes at the weekend and ended a four-game goal drought — lengthy by his lofty standards — while Trent Alexander-Arnold only being fit enough to make the bench suggested the Frenchman might be able to enjoy himself against youngster Conor Bradley.
But Mbappe struggled against the Northern Irishman and his missed penalty in the 61st minute summed up a frustrating evening for him — although Mohamed Salah’s own miscued effort a few minutes later showed even the best can fail from 12 yards. There were a few misplaced passes and moments where Mbappe appeared to lose concentration, even if he did show some improvement in the second half.
UK readers watch here:
Caoimhin Kelleher denies Kylian Mbappé from the spot! 😳
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/fr45wUF2Cj
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) November 27, 2024
U.S. readers watch here:
KELLEHER SAVES MBAPPE’S PENALTY ❌ pic.twitter.com/dWqmmASJ50
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) November 27, 2024
Vinicius Jr’s expected three-week absence with a hamstring injury means Mbappe will most likely continue to play down the left (he has tended to start through the middle when the Brazilian is fit).
But Madrid have yet to see a defining performance from him since he joined — and the enduring image of him in their white shirt remains his eight offsides in the 4-0 Clasico humiliation by Barcelona last month.
Tomas Hill Lopez-Menchero
Kelleher proves his class
Caoimhin Kelleher’s second-half penalty save from Mbappe was vital in the context of this game and once again highlighted his importance to Slot.
The 26-year-old has now played more games than Alisson this season and the greatest compliment you can pay him is that Liverpool have not missed their Brazilian No.1.
For a second game running Kelleher kept out a spot-kick, but unlike at the weekend — when Southampton’s Adam Armstrong was able to convert the follow-up — he was able to push Mbappe’s shot to safety.
Caoimhin Kelleher saves Mbappe’s penalty (Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Kelleher is yet to concede in the three games he has played in the Champions League this season and continues to show why he deserves to be a first-choice stopper in 2025.
He had the chance to leave in the last transfer window but Liverpool were not happy with the offers they received and refused to sell. That decision is now proving to be a smart one as he has been so important in Alisson’s absence.
Gregg Evans
How Bradley stepped up — with a tackle for the ages
This game was just starting to feel slightly flat when Conor Bradley ignited the crowd and the occasion. And it wasn’t with a sublime pass, or searing shot — but an old-fashioned crunching tackle on Kylian Mbappe.
It was a moment the crowd had been waiting for during a goalless opening period and certainly gave the 21-year-old full-back — who was filling in for Trent Alexander-Arnold — an edge in a one-on-one battle that always felt key to settling this tie.
Real Madrid were on the counter-attack after clearing a Liverpool corner, and Mbappe had surged away from Mac Allister to leave him scenting a chance to surge into the area. Bradley, however, put an end to those hopes, sprinting across to sweep away the ball and leave Mbappe sprawled on the turf.
Conor Bradley’s expertly-timed tackle on Mbappe brought Anfield to its feet (Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Clearly full of confidence, Bradley continued to get the better of Mbappe as the half wore on. He consistently put the Frenchman on the back foot and forced him to drift inside in the search for more space.
But he was also a threat in attack himself, creating an overload down the right with his darting runs. He may have scored with a header early in the second half but refused to be deterred, superbly setting up Alexis Mac Allister for the opener, to highlight his growing value in the squad.
The only downside was that he had to withdraw late on with what looked like a hamstring injury. Slot will be hoping the damage is not serious.
UK readers watch Bradley’s tackle here:
One of the best tackles you’ll see from Conor Bradley on Kylian Mbappé ⛔ pic.twitter.com/Ucn29ejXPn
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) November 27, 2024
Gregg Evans
Liverpool edge frantic midfield battle
There were tense, feisty clashes all over the pitch but it was the midfield battle that caught the eye the most on Wednesday evening.
Liverpool dominated possession and stuck to their typical build-up pattern by looking to feed the ball into Ryan Gravenberch, but Real Madrid’s Brahim Diaz was intelligent in blocking the easy pass into the Dutchman’s feet when Liverpool’s centre-backs had it. On the occasions Gravenberch did receive the ball in space, he was able to drive forward, break lines, and feed those ahead of him — making Diaz’s job even more crucial.
Madrid were disciplined out of possession, and forced Alexis Mac Allister to drop deeper to receive the ball and help progress Liverpool upfield. Mac Allister’s battle with Eduardo Camavinga was particularly mouth-watering, with the pair taking it in turns to exchange blows as the game ebbed and flowed.
Eduardo Camavinga was a busy presence (Pedro Salado/Getty Images)
Camvinga’s wiry frame can often get him out of trouble in possession, but his defensive performance was equally impressive on the night, making four tackles — more than any other player on the field before injury forced him off after 55 minutes.
The whole contest was breathless throughout, but it was Liverpool’s midfield who ultimately came out on top with Mac Allister opening the scoring as he slipped out of Madrid’s gaze at the crucial moment.
Mark Carey
Ascensio rises to the occasion
This was the biggest game of Raul Asencio’s career so far — and he did not disappoint, even if Madrid crumbled in the second half.
The 21-year-old Real Madrid centre-back only made his first-team debut earlier this month against Osasuna, with his first start the 3-0 win against Leganes at the weekend. He should have been playing for Madrid’s reserve team Castilla, but Carlo Ancelotti called on him after injuries to first-choice defenders Eder Militao and Dani Carvajal (both anterior cruciate ligament tears), plus midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni, who can also play there.
If Asencio had any nerves at Anfield, he did not show it. He made a fine goal-line clearance in the fourth minute after Thibaut Courtois saved a shot from Darwin Nunez. Then he stood up to Nunez soon after during a tussle in the penalty area, pushing the Uruguayan striker over to earn both players a yellow card. Perhaps the only time he was caught out in the first half was when Luis Diaz forced a save from Courtois in the 23rd minute after the ball went over his head, but the goalkeeper was quick off his line to intervene.
Asencio’s rise through the youth ranks has been gradual since he joined Madrid’s system in 2017, but has come with controversy. He is currently under investigation — along with three other former Real Madrid youth players — for allegedly sharing a sex tape involving two women that was recorded in Gran Canaria last summer.
That case is still unresolved. In a playing sense, however, performances like this are only likely to strengthen his standing with Ancelotti.
Tomas Hill Lopez-Menchero
What next for Liverpool?
Sunday, December 1: Manchester City (home), Premier League, 4pm UK, 11am ET
What next for Real Madrid?
Sunday, December 1: Getafe (home), La Liga, 3:15pm UK, 10:15am ET
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(Top photo: Peter Byrne/PA Images via Getty Images)
