Liverpool almost looked back to their best against Real Madrid
Liverpool 1 - 0 Real Madrid
Liverpool produced one of their most complete displays of the season to overpower Real Madrid and claim a vital Champions League win.
Author | William G
Stadium | Anfield
Arne Slot’s Premier League champions had ended a miserable run of six defeats in seven matches with victory over Aston Villa at the weekend, and the resurgence gathered pace here as Real were swept aside.
The scoreline barely reflected Liverpool’s control. Alexis Mac Allister finally made the breakthrough midway through the second half, heading in Dominik Szoboszlai’s free-kick to reward a dominant performance in which the home side carved out chance after chance.
Thibaut Courtois was exceptional in the Real goal, pulling off a series of stunning saves – four from Szoboszlai and another fine reflex stop to deny Virgil van Dijk – to keep the visitors alive far longer than they deserved.
Super Local Sports News | Merseyside | Champions League | Five classic matches between Liverpool and Real Madrid superlocalnews.blogspot.com/2025/11/mers...
— Super News Affiliate (@sup3rnew5affiliate.bsky.social) 4 November 2025 at 16:20
[image or embed]
Trent Alexander-Arnold, now in Madrid white, was greeted with loud jeers when introduced late on, but he and his new teammates could do little to alter the outcome. Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappé were largely anonymous as Liverpool, led superbly by the outstanding Conor Bradley, sealed a win that reignited their European campaign.
Several players were outstanding
Conor Bradley once again showed why many view him as the natural successor to Trent Alexander-Arnold, producing a commanding performance that summed up Liverpool’s renewed energy and purpose.
The 22-year-old from Northern Ireland was superb throughout, relishing his duel with Vinicius Jr and earning loud acclaim from the Anfield crowd, who sang his name while directing their frustration towards the former favourite now in Madrid colours.
After a spell disrupted by injuries, Bradley’s display was a reminder of his potential and of the intensity that had been missing from Liverpool’s game during their poor run of form.
Dominik Szoboszlai was outstanding in midfield, repeatedly forcing saves from Thibaut Courtois, whose brilliance was all that kept Real in contention. Match-winner Alexis Mac Allister continued his resurgence, his sharpness and composure bringing back the cutting edge to Arne Slot’s side.
Liverpool’s defence remained firm throughout, shutting out Real with composure and control. Only Courtois’s heroics delayed the breakthrough, as the home side moved up to sixth in the table, a position that would secure automatic qualification for the Champions League last 16 without the need for a play-off.
