Kylian Mbappe missed a penalty and was otherwise hamstrung by the Liverpool defence as a listless, injury-hit Real Madrid fell 2-0 at Anfield.
The Frenchman was emblematic of the Spanish giant’s struggles, lacking in quality as a more complete side controlled the game.
It all felt a bit like a typical Madrid Champions League showing for the first half. They defended willingly, and invited pressure – all while somehow failing to concede. Thibaut Courtois played hero early on, making three key saves in the first 45 minutes. Young centre-back Raul Asencio also played his part, clearing the ball off the line under pressure from Luis Diaz.
The goalie could do little about the Liverpool opener, though – Alexis Mac Allister firing into the bottom corner after a neat combination around the box early in the second half. Los Blancos had a real chance to get back in it when Lucas Vazquez was brought down in the box, but Mbappe missed the ensuing penalty. After, it was Mohamed Salah’s turn to fall short, the Egyptian winning a spot-kick of his own before blasting it wide.
Liverpool added a second after 77 minutes, when Cody Gakpo nodded home off a corner. Madrid were otherwise quiet going forward, with their star man kept quiet in the kind of game he was signed to be able to win. Los Blancos could now fail to make it out of the group phase – something that would have been unthinkable just a few months ago.
GOAL rates Real Madrid’s players from Anfield…