Multiple errors, inexcusable naivety and up against a Madrid team with a breadth of experience, Liverpool suffered a chastening defeat despite leading 2-0 inside fifteen minutes. As good as the European champions were, to concede five goals after little more than an hour, is surely the final evidence of a side in need of ruthless surgery, especially after being so comprehensively ripped apart by the Spaniards.
It all started so well. A truly wonderful goal by Nunez, after a defence-splitting pass from Salah, was followed up by Salah making it 2-0. Gifted the ball by Courtois, who inexplicably attempted to control a bouncing ball with his knee, the Egyptian, now Liverpool’s leading goal scorer in European competition, caressed the ball into the net, putting Anfield in dreamland.
However, Madrid never looked rattled and, in Vinicius Junior, have a player of rare quality – quality which stunned Anfield with a thunderous shot in front of the Kop, and was then the recipient of an error from Alisson that was perhaps the defining moment of not just the game, but of the tie. Rather than simply clear the ball from an under-hit Gomez back pass, Alisson attempted a precision pass that struck his on-coming compatriot, and the ball flew into the net.
So a first half, that delivered drama and goals that we’ve come to expect from the Champions League, ended all square. The second half, however, was a master class from Madrid, and at times, became embarrassing for a Liverpool team who were simply outclassed. Yes, they contributed to their own downfall with individual errors, with Gomez perhaps most culpable, but too many others looked hesitant, whilst it’s surely beyond question that greater mobility, craft and robustness in midfield is essential, as once again, Bajcetic outshone both Fabinho and Henderson.
Of course, Madrid scored some wonderful goals, perhaps none better in the second half, than by Benzema. The class and composure shown by the mercurial Frenchman, in first putting Alisson on his backside, before slotting home with his weaker left foot, in a by now stunned Anfield, was the personification of world-class.
Worryingly, his teammates could probably have gone on to add to the score but chose instead to simply deny Liverpool the ball, let alone, give up even a glimmer of a chance for a by now dispirited home side. The spirit of the fans was probably not helped by Milner being the midfield option when substitutions were made by Klopp, though the bench was frankly bereft of any game-changing options in that department.
Yet, the lack of midfield options is just one of the problems facing the club right now, but seeing how ruthless Real Madrid have been in showing players the door who are no longer considered consistently good enough, witness Ronaldo should be noted by FSG. Great clubs, however thankful they may be for past glories, invest consistently, when required, in order to ensure trophy-winning longevity. In that way, they ensure the sort of performance witnessed tonight, again and again, and again.
