Liverpool top Real Madrid 2-0 to remain perfect in the Champions League: Los Blancos drop to 24th place

The side coached by Arne Slot pulled off a 2-0 win against the Spanish giants

Liverpool won 2-0 at Anfield against Real Madrid thanks to goals scored in the second half by Alexis Mac Allister and Cody Gakpo, as the side coached by Arne Slot won their fifth game in a row and remain the only European side to do so in the opening five matches of the 2024-25 League Phase, leading the Champions League table with 15 points. 

It was a great night for the Liverpool fans as they witnessed another positive performance of this team in this first part part of the season, while the away side disappointed again and showed all the issues they are going through in this moment. It was an eventful game, with many chances in the first half but everything actually happened later in the second part of the game with two goals and also two penalties missed by the biggest stars of the game. 

Liverpool were pushing hard even before scoring the opening goal of the game with Mac Allister. Only minutes after the opener Caoimhin Kelleher became the hero of the day as he saved a penalty on Kylian Mbappe. The Frenchman, who had all eyes on him after the injury of Vinicius Junior, disappointed and didn't take advantage of the penalty to score the equalizer. Moments later though Liverpool's star Mo Salah also missed a penalty and Liverpool had to wait for Cody Gakpo to score the deciding and final 2-0. 

Liverpool confirmed again they are among the best sides this season and they will face Manchester City this Sunday while Carlo Ancelotti's team needs to focus on the next fixtures to secure at least one spot for the knockout stages as they are currently sitting 24th in the table, the last one to avoid the elimination. 

[Nov 27, 2024 at 4:37 pm ET · Francesco Porzio]

FT: Liverpool 2, Real Madrid 0 

[Nov 27, 2024 at 4:36 pm ET · Francesco Porzio]

GOAL: Liverpool 2, Real Madrid 0

It's 2-0 for the home side as Cody Gakpo managed to score the second goal of the night at Anfield thanks to the header after a great assist of Andrew Robertson. It looks now really difficult for Real Madrid to overturn the result. 

[Nov 27, 2024 at 4:29 pm ET · Francesco Porzio]

Another penalty missed! 

This time it's Mo Salah who missed the penalty for Liverpool and missed the chance to score the second goal for the home side, few minutes after the penalty missed by Kylian Mbappe. What an eventful second half! 

[Nov 27, 2024 at 4:27 pm ET · Francesco Porzio]

Gakpo in

Slot made his first change of the game as Darwin Nunez left the pitch and was replaced by Cody Gakpo.  

[Nov 27, 2024 at 4:18 pm ET · Francesco Porzio]

Mbappe missed a penalty! 

Robertson touched Lucas Vazquez here, who just got on the pitch: it's a penalty but then Kylian Mbappe missed the biggest chance to score for Real Madrid so far. Huge mistake by the French star. 

[Nov 27, 2024 at 4:14 pm ET · Francesco Porzio]

Camavinga injured

Few minutes after conceding the goal Real Madrid are forced to replace Camavinga after the French player got injured and was replaced by Dani Ceballos. The away side took advantage of the moment and also subbed Arda Guler, who was replaced by Vazquez. What Carlo Ancelotti didn't need in this moment... 

[Nov 27, 2024 at 4:10 pm ET · Francesco Porzio]

GOAL: Liverpool 1, Real Madrid 0

Liverpool were pushing in these first minutes of the second half and found the opener with Mac Allister after a great pass of Bradley. The home side deserved to score the opening goal of the game against Real Madrid after at least four attempts. 

[Nov 27, 2024 at 4:04 pm ET · Francesco Porzio]

FT: Liverpool 2, Real Madrid 0

[Nov 27, 2024 at 4:04 pm ET · Francesco Porzio]

We're back!

The second half started with no changes in the two teams. Let's see if we can see some goals in these 45 minutes. 

[Nov 27, 2024 at 3:47 pm ET · Francesco Porzio]

HT: Liverpool 0, Real Madrid 0

Still no goals so far after an exciting first half of soccer at Anfield where Liverpool had at least three chances to score the opener with Darwin Nunez, while Real Madrid struggled more to create chances and had no shots on target up to now. Everything will be decided in the second half today. 

[Nov 27, 2024 at 3:35 pm ET · Francesco Porzio]

Third chance for Nunez

Minute 32: third chance for Darwin Nunez to score the match's opener against Real Madrid but the Uruguayan striker's header went close outside the right post of Courtois. Third chance of the game for Liverpool, third chance missed by Nunez. 

[Nov 27, 2024 at 3:25 pm ET · Francesco Porzio]

Another chance for Nunez

The Uruguayan striker had another chance to score the opener as he was able get between the two defenders and having a shot but once again Courtois was there and able to save it despite Nunez was really close. Second chance for Liverpool, second save by the Belgian goalkeeper. 

[Nov 27, 2024 at 3:17 pm ET · Francesco Porzio]

15 minutes are gone

Liverpool kept the control of the game in these opening 15 minutes and had one big chance with Nunez. Later, van Dijk had some personal issues with Asencio, with both of them being booked for their behaviour. Apart of these two episodes, nothing more to mention so far in the game but it's definitely a fun one to watch. 

[Nov 27, 2024 at 3:15 pm ET · Francesco Porzio]

Liverpool 0, Real Madrid 0

[Nov 27, 2024 at 3:07 pm ET · Francesco Porzio]

Huge chance for Liverpool!

Darwin Nunez has a chance to score the opener after five minutes: Courtois saved it but the rebound hit Asencio who went close to score an owngoal in his first Champions League start. The center-back was quick enough to save his own mistake. 

[Nov 27, 2024 at 3:00 pm ET · Francesco Porzio]

KICK OFF

We're underway at Anfield for one of the greatest and most awaited matches of the season! 

[Nov 27, 2024 at 2:35 pm ET · Francesco Porzio]

30 minutes to go

[Nov 27, 2024 at 1:47 pm ET · Francesco Porzio]

Where will Salah play next season? 

Salah's future has become a major area of focus going into Wednesday's game against Real Madrid. While the 32-year-old is still contributing at impressive rates, his productivity is beginning to slow with age and he suggested that his time at Anfield might be up when his contract expires in the summer. Slot did his best to calm things down ahead of Wednesday's match, insisting Salah's comments were not a distraction and admitting, "If I look at my line ups then Mo is more in than out!"

The Egypt international will likely play a big role in the match, while Trent Alexander-Arnold is not fit enough to start but could come off the bench. Other notable players like Alisson and Diogo Jota,  though, will be unavailable as they battle injuries.

[Nov 27, 2024 at 1:44 pm ET · Francesco Porzio]

Time for Mbappe to shine

The feeling of inevitable victory that defined their triumphs last season has evaded them on a handful of occasions so far this campaign, even as they amass an all-star attack that now includes Mbappe. The imbalance that they clearly defied last season is now costing them, as demonstrated by the fact that they have losses to Lille and AC Milan on their Champions League record so far this season.

That imbalance has been exemplified by Mbappe's inability to fully integrate himself into his new team, notably so in Madrid's 3-1 loss to Milan on Matchday 4. A batch of injuries over the course of the season has also complicated matters for the reigning European champions, most recently seeing Vinicius Junior end up on the sidelines. He picked up a short-term hamstring injury that will keep him out of Wednesday's trip to Liverpool, though it could make things easier for Mbappe to finally deliver a statement performance in a Madrid shirt.

[Nov 27, 2024 at 7:43 am ET · Francesco Porzio]

Team news

Liverpool XI: Kelleher; Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Mac Allister, Gravenberch; Salah, Jones, Luis Diaz; Darwin Nunez. 

Real Madrid XI: Courtois; Fede Valverde, Asencio, Rudiger, Mendy; Modric, Camavinga, Bellingham; Brahim Diaz, Arda Guler, Mbappe

[Nov 27, 2024 at 7:43 am ET · Francesco Porzio]

How to watch and odds

• Date: Wednesday, November 27 | Time: 3 p.m. ET
• Location: Anfield -- Liverpool, England
• Watch: Paramount+
• Odds: Liverpool -120; Draw +290; Real Madrid +290

[Nov 27, 2024 at 1:41 pm ET · Francesco Porzio]

Hello and welcome!

Good afternoon from Liverpool where the side coached by Arne Slot will face Real Madrid for a big matchup that features the two teams that played the 2022 Champions League final, won by the Spanish giants. A big game for both teams, but especially for Real Madrid as they will have to deal with some key absences.