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 bossed the game and put the Reds in front before substitute Cody Gakpo headed home a second in the 76th minute. Arne Slot’s side were perfectly deserving of their victory but the scoreline could have looked a lot different, with Kylian Mbappe and Mohamed Salah both fluffing their lines from 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
Had nothing to do until Mbappe put the ball on the spot. Sprung brilliantly to his left to deny the Frenchman and then made a couple of decent stops late on.
Conor Bradley: 8
A true coming of age characteristic unlike a player like Mbappé. Anfield enjoyed their decisive showdown against the World Cup winner. He was competitive and gave a great hand to Mac Allister. Alexander-Arnold is reaching the end of his contract at Liverpool and Slot already has a replacement ready.
Ibrahima Konate: 7
A wall at the back, Konate produced a great block in the first half to stop Luka Modric’s cross and halt a dangerous Real attack.
Virgil van Dijk: 7
Got away with a sloppy pass which went straight to Arda Guler early on, but like the rest of his team-mates, grew in confidence as the match progressed. Van Dijk was purring by the end and his cross-field ball is a sight to behold.
Andrew Robertson: 6
Put the result in jeopardy with a clumsy tackle on Lucas Vazquez in the second half. A penalty was awarded but Kelleher bailed him out. Robertson made amends with a gorgeous cross for Gakpo to head in Liverpool’s second.
We use your registration to provide content in the way you have consented to and as we perceive you to be. This would possibly come from our and third party advertising as we perceive it. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy
Ryan Gravenberch: 6 (reserved)
A consistent performance, but his midfield teammates did the most work.
Alexis Mac Allister: 9 (booked)
The most productive player on the field. He couldn’t miss accurate balls in the box, one of which was headed wide through Darwin Nunez and the other headed towards goal through Bradley. He scored his goal brilliantly and found himself one on one with Jude Bellingham. This warning means that he will miss Liverpool’s trip to Girona next month.
Mohamed Salah: 7
The Egyptian harassed Real’s defenders, but still had a moment, this time to put Ferland Mendy in and win a penalty. His score would have been higher if he hadn’t destroyed it.
Curtis Jones: 7 (Dominik Szoboszlai, 83)
Nothing impressive from Jones, but he is clearly full of confidence and remains untouchable in Slot’s starting XI.
Luis Diaz: 6
Curiously quiet night for the Colombian. Liverpool were the better side but the midfielders and defenders shone brightest.
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 expired incorporation.
RESEARCH
CONNECT WITH US
DOCUMENT OF THE DAY
View today’s and latest pages, download the newspaper, order back issues and use the old Daily Express newspaper archive.
EXPRESS. CO. UK
Would you like to receive Daily Express notifications?