Former star critical of Real Madrid after defeat to Liverpool – ‘Still a little way off from rivals’ | OneFootball

Former Real Madrid midfielder Alvaro Benito has shared his thoughts following Los Blancos’ narrow 0-1 loss to Liverpool in the UEFA Champions League, highlighting that the team’s issues stem mainly from a lack of fluency between midfield and attack.

Speaking on El Larguero, the former midfielder, who spent several years at the club and now works as a pundit, provided a calm yet detailed assessment of the match. 

Despite acknowledging Real Madrid’s defensive improvements under Xabi Alonso, Benito believes that the team’s creative rhythm and attacking link-up remain below the level required to challenge Europe’s elite.

“The feeling is that you’re still a little way off from your rivals. 

“We’ll see what happens from February onwards, which is when seasons are decided, but there’s something missing in the creative zone, something to connect that area with the final part of the game,” he explained.

Pointing out the exact error

Real Madrid lost to Liverpool for the second time running. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)

Real Madrid’s defensive organisation and pressing intensity were on display at Anfield, but the former player pointed out that the lack of chemistry in transitions and final-third ultimately cost them against a Liverpool side that capitalised on a single set-piece opportunity.

Benito also emphasised that while Real Madrid’s defensive phase has improved significantly, there’s still work to do when it comes to matching the physical and tactical demands of top European opposition.

“The phase without the ball has improved a lot, but to face teams like Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea, or Liverpool, sides that play at a very high tempo and with enormous aggression, you have to improve further off the ball. 

“Otherwise, it’s going to be difficult to stay competitive against these rivals,” he noted.

Still, the defeat does not raise alarm bells in Madrid yet. The team remains in control of its qualification group, and the players continue to show signs of chemistry despite the result.