Liverpool produced a commanding performance to end Real Madrid’s unbeaten Champions League run with a 1-0 victory at Anfield on Tuesday, as Alexis Mac Allister’s header sealed a much-needed win for Arne Slot’s side.
Madrid were second best throughout but were spared a heavier defeat thanks to a superb display from Thibaut Courtois, who repeatedly frustrated Liverpool’s attack. The Belgian goalkeeper, so often the Reds’ tormentor, kept his side in the contest until Mac Allister finally broke the deadlock on the hour mark.
The result lifts both clubs to nine points from four games in the new league-phase format. For Liverpool, it capped a week of resurgence following a torrid spell of six defeats in eight matches across all competitions, halted by Saturday’s Premier League win over Aston Villa.
Slot made just one change from that victory, with Florian Wirtz replacing Cody Gakpo, and his faith in a familiar lineup paid off as Liverpool rediscovered the intensity and control reminiscent of their title-winning form.
Madrid, beaten only twice in 20 matches since Xabi Alonso took charge, were pinned back for long spells and leaned heavily on Courtois to avoid another heavy loss after their 5-2 derby defeat to Atlético earlier in the season.
Courtois, who starred in Madrid’s 2022 Champions League final win over Liverpool, denied Dominik Szoboszlai twice in the opening half — first from close range and later from a thunderous long-range strike. VAR spared Madrid when Aurelien Tchouameni escaped a handball penalty, while the visitors managed just one effort on target before halftime — a Jude Bellingham shot blocked by Giorgi Mamardashvili.
Liverpool’s pressure intensified after the break, with Courtois making outstanding saves to deny Virgil van Dijk, Hugo Ekitike, and Szoboszlai again from a free-kick. But there was nothing he could do when Mac Allister rose to meet Szoboszlai’s delivery and power a header into the corner to give the hosts a deserved lead.
There was further drama late on as Trent Alexander-Arnold made his first appearance since mid-September following a hamstring injury. The right-back, whose Anfield mural had been vandalised before the game, was met with jeers from a section of the crowd upon his introduction nine minutes from time.
Madrid’s talisman Kylian Mbappé, who had scored in 15 of his previous 17 outings, wasted their best chance to equalise, dragging a shot wide from the edge of the box. Vinícius Júnior was also well contained by young full-back Conor Bradley, as the Spanish champions drew a rare blank.
Courtois made one final stop to keep out Gakpo in stoppage time, but Liverpool’s often-criticised defence held firm to claim their first Champions League clean sheet of the season — and a potentially season-defining victory.
