Liverpool ended Real Madrid’s flawless Champions League start with a commanding 1–0 victory at Anfield on Tuesday night, putting an end to their recent struggles in impressive fashion.
Alexis Mac Allister scored the decisive goal with a powerful header, while Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois produced several crucial saves to keep the scoreline respectable.
Trent Alexander-Arnold made his much-anticipated return to the pitch as a late substitute, receiving a mixed reception from the Anfield crowd. Despite the tense atmosphere, Liverpool held firm to secure a vital win that could mark a turning point in their season.
Both teams now sit level on nine points after four group-stage matches. Liverpool, who had previously lost six of their last eight games across all competitions, looked revitalised under Arne Slot, maintaining the same strong lineup that beat Aston Villa at the weekend — with only Florian Wirtz replacing Cody Gakpo.
Real Madrid, led by former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso, struggled to find their rhythm and relied heavily on Courtois to avoid a heavier defeat. The Belgian goalkeeper, who had denied Liverpool in the 2022 Champions League final, was kept busy once again, thwarting efforts from Szoboszlai, Van Dijk, and Ekitike before finally being beaten by Mac Allister’s header.
Kylian Mbappé, who had been in sensational form this season, missed Madrid’s best opportunity to equalise, while Vinícius Júnior was contained effectively by young full-back Conor Bradley.
A mural of Alexander-Arnold near Anfield was vandalised before the match, but the defender’s brief return late in the game drew loud cheers as Liverpool’s defence held firm for their first Champions League clean sheet of the season.
Courtois made one last stop from Gakpo in stoppage time, but it wasn’t enough to deny Liverpool a well-deserved victory — and a much-needed confidence boost heading into the next phase of the campaign.
