Liverpool 1-0 Real Madrid: Alexis Mac Allister on target against Madrid for second season running as Reds down Los Blancos | OneFootball

Real Madrid’s unbeaten Champions League record was ended by Liverpool courtesy of a 1-0 defeat in Tuesday’s meeting at Anfield.

Off the back of six straight wins across all competitions, Madrid headed to Merseyside in flying form to take on a Liverpool outfit who had only just returned to winning ways.

As with so many of their home matches, Liverpool started on the front foot and produced the game’s first effort through Alexis Mac Allister.

The Argentinian, who opened the scoring against Madrid last season, was unable to keep his effort from the edge of the box down.

Madrid started to gain a foothold in the half as it progressed after weathering Liverpool’s early storm.

Los Blancos had their first effort in the 18th minute following some nice combination play from Vinicius Jr and Jude Bellingham. The latter teed up Kylian Mbappe, who blazed an effort well over the bar.

The best chance of the opening 30 minutes fell to Liverpool shortly afterwards, but Dominik Szoboszlai was unable to get the better of Thibaut Courtois.

Liverpool had a potential penalty scenario just past the half-hour mark when Aurelien Tchouamni was adjudged to have handled the ball, only for the VAR to intervene.

Szoboszlai called Courtois into action twice in the space of six minutes as Liverpool pressed to break the deadlock before half-time.

Bellingham drew a fine stop out of Giorgio Mamardashvilli. The Georgian goalkeeper also comfortably dealt with Arda Guler’s long-range strike.

Liverpool wasted no time engaging Courtois after the break, forcing him into quick-fire saves from Virgil van Dijk and Hugo Ekitike.

Szoboszlai continued his personal duel with the Madrid goalkeeper with a free-kick attempt, but he was up to the task once more to keep the game level.

Liverpool’s dominance finally paid off on the hour mark as MacAllister rose highest to head home a Szoboszlai delivery.

Madrid intensified their attacking intent after going behind, although they were unable to create a clear-cut opportunity to restore parity.

Having cut a peripheral figure for large spells of the second half, Mbappe sent a side-footed effort agonisingly wide as the contest headed into its final 15 minutes.

As Madrid pushed forward in search of an equaliser, Liverpool nearly doubled their lead through substitute Cody Gakpo, who was denied from point-blank range by Courtois.

The away side huffed and puffed in the closing moments of the clash, but Liverpool held on to emerge victorious.