Liverpool defeated reigning Champions League holders Real Madrid 2-0 at Anfield, maintaining their perfect record in the tournament with five wins from five matches. The victory propelled Liverpool to the top of the standings with 15 points, while Real Madrid, uncharacteristically, sits in 24th place with just six points. It also means that Arne Slot’s team has already secured its position in the knock-out phase of the tournament.
Liverpool are the first team to confirm their place in the round of 16 or knockout phase play-offs ⚽#UCL pic.twitter.com/ebUtmFxFeW
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) November 27, 2024
Liverpool dominated most of the match, creating numerous chances in the first half. Raul Asensio’s goal-line clearance and Thibaut Courtois’ crucial saves kept the score level at halftime. The deadlock was broken in the 52nd minute when Alexis MacAllister gave the hosts a well-deserved lead.
Both sides missed penalties later in the game, with Kylian Mbappe and Mohamed Salah failing to convert their spot-kicks. Cody Gakpo sealed the victory in the 77th minute, securing Liverpool’s first win over Real Madrid in their last nine encounters. Previously, Real had seven victories and a draw in this stretch, including wins in the 2018 and 2022 Champions League finals.
Real Madrid faced the challenge without six key players due to injuries, a factor acknowledged post-match by Jude Bellingham, who remarked, “From the first minute they took control of the game.”