Five issues Arne Slot discovered as Liverpool outclass hapless Real Madrid in Champions League

On Nov 27, 2024

Liverpool clinched a huge 2-0 victory in the Champions League against defending champions Real Madrid to continue their 100 per cent start in the competition.

The Reds looked up for it from the first whistle and weren’t afraid to take the game to the visitors. Tackles went flying in with Arne Slot’s men creating some decent first-half chances, forcing goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois into action several times.

Liverpool started the second period perfectly heaping the pressure onto Real with Conor Bradley’s close-range header denied by Courtois.

Moments later the right-back linked up expertly with Alexis Mac Allister who opened the scored with a cool finish inside the box.

Their hard work was almost undone though after Andy Robertson’s clumsy challenge saw Real awarded a penalty but Kylian Mbappe made a mess of things allowing Kelleher to save.

Liverpool later got a penalty of their own after Ferland Mendy’s late challenge on Mohamed Salah, but the Egyptian failed to convert. Substitute Cody Gakpo finally rounded off a perfect victory with a bullet header after being unmarked in the box.

Bradley is capable of succeeding Trent

Trent Alexander-Arnold could still stay at Liverpool beyond the end of the season, but if he doesn’t, Slot already has a capable replacement in Conor Bradley.

He was coming up against one of the world’s best players Kylian Mbappe tonight and managed to keep him quiet. A thumping tackle in the first half was greeted with cheers from the home crowd and Bradley has shown immense maturity when required since he first broke into the first-team under Jurgen Klopp.

He got himself on the end of a perfect chance in the second half and assisted Mac Allister’s goal, despite eventually going off with a suspected hamstring injury

Home advantage matters on European nights

Anfield is often described as having one of the best atmospheres on a European night and you could hear the crowd from minute one tonight.

The constant noise spurred on Liverpool and gave them a huge confidence boost against against a Real side that even looked slightly unnerved at times. The new Champions League format promised bigger games at this stage of the competition and tonight’s clash was the perfect example of that.

Starting games quickly can overwhelm any team

Liverpool came out of the traps incredibly quickly in both the first and second periods tonight and Real couldn’t handle it.

The Reds registered two shots on target in the first half with Los Blancos failing to test Caoimhin Kelleher.

Real had time to compose themselves at the break, but the constant pressure as soon as the whistle blew overwhelmed them and ultimately led to the opening goal.

It’s not all about Salah

Liverpool have relied too much on Salah’s goalscoring abilities this season, but tonight it wasn’t all about him.

The Egyptian king is a fan favourite and has been Slot’s most important player but the Reds proved that they are capable of doing it without him.

While he played his part, he didn’t get on the scoresheet and even missed a penalty.

Substitutes can be the difference

Making substitutes at the right time in big games like this one can often be the difference between a victory and a draw or defeat.

The introduction of Cody Gakpo from the bench was the icing on the cake for Slot tonight with the Dutch talisman rounding off the perfect victory for Liverpool.

While he’s been rightly criticised at times since his move to Anfield last year, he stepped up tonight when it mattered.

Champions League Liverpool FC Real Madrid FC