Liverpool produced one of their most complete performances of the season to defeat Real Madrid 1–0 at Anfield, with Alexis Mac Allister’s second-half header ensuring a memorable Champions League night that also marked Trent Alexander-Arnold’s emotional return to Merseyside.
Arne Slot’s side, showing the intensity and invention that defined their title-winning campaign, dominated from start to finish. Only a series of superb saves from Thibaut Courtois prevented the scoreline from reflecting Liverpool’s superiority.
The hosts finally broke through after 61 minutes when Mac Allister met Dominik Szoboszlai’s free-kick with a perfectly timed header past Courtois, who until then had denied the Argentine and several others with inspired goalkeeping.
Alexander-Arnold, now a Real Madrid player, was introduced in the closing stages to a storm of boos from supporters who once idolised him. His cameo could do little to alter the outcome, as Liverpool controlled possession and limited Real’s attacking threats, with Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappé kept unusually quiet.
Slot’s men, who had ended a poor run of form with victory over Aston Villa at the weekend, showed renewed confidence from the outset. Florian Wirtz impressed on his recall, while Conor Bradley – once considered Alexander-Arnold’s understudy – delivered an outstanding display, matching Vinícius Júnior stride for stride and drawing chants of “One Conor Bradley” from the Kop.
Liverpool were furious not to be awarded a first-half penalty when Aurélien Tchouaméni handled inside the box, but the setback only fuelled their determination. Courtois continued to frustrate Szoboszlai and Virgil van Dijk, producing reflex saves from close range, yet Real’s resistance finally broke when Mac Allister struck from the set piece.
It was a night that belonged to Slot’s Liverpool rather than their returning former hero. The result lifts the Reds to sixth in the group standings and strengthens their bid for direct qualification to the Champions League round of 16, a sign that their early-season struggles may at last be behind them.
