Enzo Karema
Real Madrid met their match on Wednesday night at Anfield, as they succumbed to the pressure of Arne Slot’s men and lost in the Champions League for the first time this season. It also marked another defeat in a big game under Xabi Alonso — not exactly a positive sign going forward.
While 1–0 is not a scoreline that suggests a devastating loss, Los Blancos’ performance was very poor and arguably deserved a worse result. The team was simply unable to beat Liverpool’s press, and always looked out of place when trying to cover spaces to avoid conceding opportunities. If not for the brilliance of Courtois, the result would have been closer to that of this season’s Madrid derby.
Dominik Szoboszlai took advantage of Madrid’s disorientation to become a constant threat for Liverpool, especially with his frequent attempts at goal. Along with Wirtz and Salah and their daunting runs, he forced numerous mistakes from Madrid’s defense. Even after surviving a difficult first half, it was clear that it was only a matter of time before the hosts found the net — which they eventually did, after a brilliant set-piece cross from Szoboszlai connected with Mac Allister’s header.
Perhaps even more disappointing than Madrid’s defending was the team’s lack of creativity going forward. Beyond failing to be clinical, they struggled to produce the kind of chances they created against Barcelona, despite having the best possible eleven on the pitch. Vini particularly had a difficult time against Conor Bradley, and Mbappé was repeatedly too far from goal to make a real impact.
Another player who struggled was Arda, as his attempts to find Mbappé were too predictable and easy for Konaté to read. Camavinga also failed to influence the game as an extra midfielder, and it often seemed as though only Tchouaméni was equipped to handle the level of pressing imposed by the hosts. Although the handball decision was certainly controversial, his efforts — along with those of Courtois and, in my view, Carreras — were among the few bright spots.
Yes, playing at Anfield — just like playing at the Metropolitano — is difficult, and teams like Liverpool, who press immediately after losing the ball, are not easy to bypass. But it is in games like these that Madrid must impose themselves if they genuinely aim to compete for multiple titles this season. These are the matches where the effects of Xabi’s revolution must truly come to fruition, and one can only hope that against Manchester City next time, the team rises to the occasion.