How Real Madrid Demolished Liverpool At Anfield

Real Madrid traveled to the Anfield Stadium to take on Liverpool on Tuesday night and left with a stunning 2-5 victory over their hosts in their Champions League round of 16 first-leg tie.

After beating Liverpool in two UEFA Champions League finals in the last five years (2018 and 2022), Karim Benzema and Vinicius Jr bagged a brace each as Real Madrid demolished Liverpool in front of their home fans.

Due to Liverpool’s excellent shutting down of the midfield, Madrid was confined to their half while maintaining possession of the ball.

Yet, Darwin Nunez’s incredible goal gave Liverpool the lead after only four minutes of play.

Darwin Nunez celebrates after giving Liverpool the lead against Real Madrid on Tuesday night.

David Alaba pushed back as Mo Salah drove forward and fired a cross toward the middle. Darwin Nunez easily outran two players from Real Madrid before attempting a perilous backheel flick that flew past Courtois.

The game’s frantic pace settled down following the goal, with Liverpool taking control and Real Madrid remaining deep while effortlessly bouncing the ball around in the middle of the field.

Liverpool maintained control of the game and applied pressure to score a second goal. Minutes after, Courtois made a costly mistake that led to Liverpool’s second goal in the 14th minute.

Carvajal sent Courtois a pass that ricochet back, separating Gody Gakpo from the ball. Courtois was taken aback as the ball struck his leg directly and bounced off. Mo Salah who was at the right spot slipped it in.

After conceding two quick goals, Real Madrid bounced back, with Vinicius Jr. taking the lead in the 21st minute.

The Brazilian performed some beautiful dancing before gliding past Fabinho, executing a quick one-two with Benzema, and firing a left-footed shot past Alisson and into the bottom right corner of the net.

Vinicius Jr. celebrates after getting a goal back for Real Madrid at Anfield on Tuesday night.

Five minutes later, Alaba had a hamstring injury and had to be taken off the field. Nacho took his place.

Even though Madrid appeared to have lost control of the game despite scoring a goal, they were threatening up front when they recovered from Liverpool’s rapid tempo.

In the 38th minute, Alisson made a costly error that tied the game at 2-2.

Gomez cut off Vinicius Jr. during Real Madrid’s counterattack by transferring the ball to Alisson. The goalkeeper attempted to clear the ball but instead smacked the Vinicius, causing the ball to loop back into the net.

Real Madrid increased the score to 2-3 after Luka Modric’s free-kick two minutes into the second half. The free kick was blasted into the box by the Croatian and Militao headed it in for Madrid.

After gaining the lead, Real Madrid seemed to settle into the game, kicking the ball around with ease, but they had to be cautious of the Reds’ pace.

In the 55th minute, Benzema’s deflection off Gomez’s thigh handed Los Blancos a two-goal advantage.

Coach Jurgen Klopp replaced Gakpo with Firminho, Nunez with Jota, Gomez with Matip, and Henderson with Milner, but that didn’t change much.

Real Madrid made a swift counterattacking break in the 67th minute. Vinicius Jr. was targeted by Modric, who subsequently sent the ball to Benzema who made it 2-5 for the visitors.

Real Madrid hung on to secure a big victory despite late pressure from the Reds and will enter the second-leg match at Santiago Bernabéu in March with a significant advantage.