Have you ever seen amateurs who by chance get to play against their idols forget all what their capable of and run behind their stars, awestruck?. This was displayed by a wretched Liverpool side in Spain against one of their bitter European rivals. The expectation was to avenge Ramos for the foul on Salah on that fateful night at Kiev in 2018, but this looked like a band of world war 1 soldiers with marksman rifles trying to take down a panser convoy. Liverpool flew to Spain after a commanding display against Arsenal and they looked like the favorites on this outing with Real Madrid losing Varane and Ramos to injuries. Kabak and Nat have conceded zero goals together before this game and the midfield buildup of Gini, Fabinho and Thiago was solid in recent games but Klopp thought of changing the proceedings and it backfired. Klopp chose Keita over Thiago and the former looked nowhere near threatening. Real Madrid were quick in winning the ball and moving forward where as Liverpool was playing boring football. Whenever the ball moved to the red side it just kept rolling down the field, sideways and back giving plenty of time for the Spanish side to regroup and find their marks. You simply cannot win games like this and specially against a world class attack. Keita was too slow on the ball breaking the momentum regularly and creating nothing from the midfield. Without being so harsh on the player his night ended at 42 mins. Tactical is what Klopp called it but the only tactic seen was removing a mere spectator from the field and replacing with a world class act in the form of Thiago. The whole team was culpable for the 45mins of woeful play which didn’t have a single attempt or a shot on goal. An achievement Liverpool has gained only the 2nd time in Europe, the last being against the same opponent in 2014. The team was a pity show and the Spanish side were quick to take advantage. The first goal was a sheer quality from Kroos to Vinicius Jr, finding the gap between Trent and Nat. Vinicius expertly controlled the ball with his shoulder and sent it into the back of the net with his second touch. Trent was being marked by Real Madrid all evening as his defensive prowess is under constant debate in recent weeks. Real Madrid knew that was the area to attack and they were correct. The second goal, another wayward clearing header by Trent which found Asensio who easily tapped it into the goal for a second. Two errors two goals and Liverpool do not have a replacement for Trent and is heavily reliant on the 22 year old who has proved himself vital to this side. Klopp needs a backup Right back. Kabak and Nat were solid but were demanded too much with their front line failing to make anything happen. Robertson was good but not the left back we have seen a year ago and it’s understandable with a player who has played every game under Klopp this season running his lungs out down the flanks. Fabinho and Gini were all kept quiet by Madrid and they knew what they are capable of. During the first 45mins Liverpool could hold on to just 5 passes in average within, before Real Madrid regains possession.
Second half saw a much improved side and if Liverpool played the same game during the first 45minutes, the English band would have come back home with a 1-1 score line and a clear chance to knock Real Madrid out. Salah was the creating opportunities and he is a beast on European nights. How vital can that away goal prove to be. Mane looks like he has lost it. An arrow without an arrowhead. When he is on the ball it looks like he would create something but then he twists, turns and dives and gives the ball away. Salah at one point was furious as Mane wasted a golden opportunity trying to dribble pass defenders. Two away goals would have sent a lot of Liverpool faithfuls to a peaceful night of sleep. Real Madrid on the other hand were not perfect themselves and were trying to win cheap fouls which the Referee freely gave and Lucas got away after elbowing Mane when he was clean through on goal and looked like scoring. Mane protested but was asked to play on which resulted in a counter attack by which the Spanish scored their second. Makes fans think that this is what to expect from la liga outfits. Fair play? Not on our books, sorry. Having said that Liverpool did not deserve to win this encounter and Zidane’s team rightly returned home victorious.
This being said Real Madrid would remember that they will play at Anfield in a week and they would remember what Barcelona suffered. Anfield is not just a stadium but it has a vibe to create magic just that it has to without the fans who usually contribute to 50% of the wins at Anfield. European nights are meant for Liverpool at Anfield and with a goal advantage Liverpool only has to score 2 more goals with a clean sheet which is easier than what they achieved against Barcelona. Liverpool need not worry too much with Klopp who has produced wonders. With a correct team selection and attacking play Liverpool will be easily down the road to semi finals.
How did Liverpool F.C perform today 