By: Shane Brennan
It was a night that started so well for Liverpool as Real Madrid rocked up to L4, and they didn’t quite know what hit them after The Reds got off to a whirlwind start, but once the European champions found their feet they ceased control of the tie, as the Spanish side came out on top comfortably as the hosts were taught a footballing lesson.
Here is how I rated the players on what was a difficult evening…
Alisson Becker 2 – The Brazilian didn’t have the best of nights in goal, but he did manage to pull off a fine save from Vinícius Júnior. Has been outstanding this season but this was a night he will want to forget very quickly.
Trent Alexander-Arnold 4 – He had a decent enough first half as he was given lots of room to run down the wing, but as Madrid stamped their authority on the game he didn’t have as much influence in the second half especially.
Virgil van Dijk 5 – Part of a defence when all was said and done that conceded five goals and Jamie Carragher now fancies his chances…
Andy Robertson 6 – The Scotsman led by example on the evening, his stand-out moments included a huge block just before the half-time whistle that meant The Reds went in level and an inspirational run into the box that almost created an opening for his side.
Find out how Ste rated the Reds during our Fan Interactive Show…
Stefan Bajcetic 6 – Good performance once again from a youngster still learning his trade at the top level. Never stopped trying all night, and he wasn’t afraid to get on the ball, also he had a decent shot that came close to nestling in the bottom right-hand corner of Thibaut Courtois’s net.
Jordan Henderson 4 – Lots of running and pressing from the Liverpool captain, he found the going a little tough overall though unfortunately.
Mohamed Salah 6 – More signs of a return to form for the Egyptian King who took his goal well when it was offered to him on a plate.
Cody Gakpo 6 – He played very well at stages during the game especially early on, as he drove Liverpool forward as the team got off to a flyer against their Spanish opponents, but vanished somewhat second half.
Darwin Nunez 6 – Brilliant first half from the Uruguayan forward, as he scored an audacious goal, and he was also showcasing his rather good defensive skills, when the Reds clicked he was excellent, but he never got going when Real took control!
Fabinho 3 – Glimpses of the Brazilian midfielder that we know and love, especially during the first half, as Liverpool came flying out of the blocks, but his performance tailed off in the second half, as he gave a ball away that led to a Madrid goal, as the hosts simply fell apart.
Joe Gomez 2 – Another extremely poor evening for Gomez. One of those who gave Vinicius too much space for Real Madrid’s first goal, and he also gave the pass back that led to Alisson trying to find the Englishman once again, as Júnior capitalised on the error. Not completely at fault thereafter but part of a defensive unit that simply capitulated.
Subs:
James Milner 5 – Steadied things when he came on as he prevented the damage from getting any worse because as per usual he does the simple things right.
Roberto Firmino 5 – Almost managed to break through a stubborn Real Madrid defence, but they were just having none of it.
Harvey Elliott N/A – Only a few minutes on the pitch and within that time he ended up getting booked.
Joel Matip 5 – He came on at a difficult time during the game and managed to do alright, but there were no real stand-out moments from him.
Diogo Jota 5 – Nice to see him getting more minutes under his belt, but he never really influenced the game in a significant way for The Reds.
Conclusion:
Well talk about coming back down to earth with a bang, after morale-boosting victories over Everton and Newcastle, and a quite sensational start against the European Cup holders, once Real Madrid got their equaliser the momentum was gone and the Reds were dominated by an excellent footballing.
Madrid capitalised on the mistakes Liverpool made, and ultimately put the hosts to the sword.
Jürgen Klopp’s side have left themselves with way too much to do when the second leg comes around at the Santiago Bernabéu in March, and with big league games coming up against Crystal Palace and Wolves in a short space of time, Liverpool need to brush themselves down and pick themselves up very quickly indeed if they want to be participating in Europe’s premier club competition next season.
