Liverpool have won five of five Champions League games to move top of the table with a shock 2-0 victory over Real Madrid at Anfield.
Alexis Mac Allister took the pace of the game and gave the Reds the lead before substitute Cody Gakpo went home for a moment in the 76th minute. Arne Slot’s team deserved their victory perfectly, but the score may have been very different, with Kylian Mbappé and Mohamed Salah also not inflating their lines on the spot.
There were massive performances across the box for the hosts, and while Mac Allister was the pick of the bunch, Conor Bradley caught the eye with a display that showed Trent Alexander-Arnold he can start looking over his shoulder.
Here, Express Sport tells you how the Liverpool player behaved that night. . .
Caoimhin Kelleher: 8
I didn’t have to do anything until Mbappé put the ball on the penalty spot. He jumped brilliantly to his left to fend off the Frenchman, then made a couple of decent saves early.
Conor Bradley: 8
A real coming-of-age performance against a player like Mbappe. Anfield loved his crunching tackle on the World Cup winner. He was aggressive throughout and came up with a nice assist for Mac Allister. Alexander-Arnold is coming to the end of his Liverpool contract and Slot already has a ready-made replacement.
Ibrahima Konate: 7
One wall behind, Konaté made a very good block in the first half to avoid a cross from Luka Modric and avoid a damaging attack from Real.
Virgil van Dijk: 7
He received a careless pass that went straight to Arda Guler early on, but, like the rest of his teammates, his confidence grew as the attack progressed. Van Dijk purred at the finish and his cross-field ball was a sight to behold.
Andrew Robertson: 6
Putting the result in danger with a clumsy shot by Lucas Vázquez in the second half. A penalty was awarded, but Kelleher saved it. Robertson made amends with a magnificent cross for Gakpo to head in Liverpool’s second goal.
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Ryan Gravenberch: 6 (reserved)
It was a consistent performance, but his midfield teammates did the most work.
Alexis Mac Allister: nine (reserved)
The best player on the pitch. He couldn’t miss with accurate balls into the box, one of which was headed just wide by Darwin Nunez and the other nodded on target by Bradley. Took his goal brilliantly and went toe-to-toe with Jude Bellingham. The booking means he will miss Liverpool’s trip to Girona next month.
Mohamed Salah: 7
The Egyptian was ganged up on by Real defenders but he always produces a moment – this time it was to turn Ferland Mendy inside out and win a penalty. His mark would have been higher if he didn’t smash it wide.
Curtis Jones: 7 (Dominik Szoboszlai, years old)
Nothing impressive from Jones, but he is clearly full of confidence and remains untouchable in Slot’s starting XI.
Luis Díaz: 6
A curiously quiet evening for the Colombian. Liverpool were the best, but the midfielders and defenders shone brighter.
Darwin Núñez: 6 (reserved) (Gakpo, 67)
A mixed bag from Núñez, who combined stupid fouls and missed opportunities with fierce defensive paints and non-stop runs.
SUBS
Cody Gakpo: 7
Mounted on top of the box to put the game on the bed. Create a wonderful opportunity for the defeated Diaz. Great effect from the submarine.
Dominik Szoboszlai: N/A
An overdue addition.
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