Liverpool’s growing identity clear in hard-fought win over Real Madrid | OneFootball

Liverpool 1 – 0 Real Madrid – Champions League Postmortem

By Steven Smith

With Liverpool looking to build upon their first league win in weeks, the Champions League clash with Real Madrid was seen as a litmus test for Arne Slot’s evolving side. It was also the return of two Anfield icons — Xabi Alonso in the opposition dugout and Trent Alexander-Arnold in Madrid white. Yet, under the floodlights and amid the emotion, Liverpool delivered their most complete European performance of the season, showcasing grit, structure, and intelligence in equal measure.

Photo IMAGO

The Starting Eleven

Liverpool XI

• GK – Giorgi Mamardashvili

• RB – Conor Bradley

• CB – Ibrahima Konaté

• CB – Virgil van Dijk (c)

• LB – Andy Robertson

• CM – Alexis Mac Allister

• CM – Ryan Gravenberch

• CM – Dominik Szoboszlai

• RW – Mohamed Salah

• CF – Hugo Ekitike

• LW – Florian Wirtz

Substitutes

Cody Gakpo → Alexis Mac Allister (77’)

Curtis Jones → Hugo Ekitike (77’)

Federico Chiesa → Florian Wirtz (87’)

Milos Kerkez → Andy Robertson (87’)

Goals

Liverpool 1 – 0 Real Madrid – Alexis Mac Allister (Dominik Szoboszlai) – 60’

Match Statistics

• Possession – Liverpool 39% | Real Madrid 61%

• XG – Liverpool 2.58 | Real Madrid 0.45

• Total Shots – Liverpool 17 | Real Madrid 8

• Fouls – Liverpool 16 | Real Madrid 11

• Corners – Liverpool 4 | Real Madrid 2

• Saves – Liverpool 2 | Real Madrid 8

First Half

An expectant Anfield crowd watched Liverpool begin with purpose and drive, pressing aggressively and hunting the ball with renewed conviction. Szoboszlai and Mac Allister orchestrated from midfield, while Salah and Wirtz provided constant width and penetration. The best chance of the half fell to Szoboszlai himself, his low drive forcing an acrobatic save from Courtois. Moments later, Hugo Ekitike saw a close-range effort blocked after a brilliant overlap from Robertson.

Real Madrid, despite enjoying greater possession, struggled to penetrate Liverpool’s disciplined back line. Van Dijk and Konaté stood firm, neutralising Vinícius Jr and Rodrygo with intelligent positioning and sheer physicality.

⸻

Second Half

The restart brought more of the same intensity, with Liverpool’s midfield trio continuing to dominate second balls and dictate the tempo. Ten minutes into the half, the breakthrough came — a wicked Szoboszlai free-kick was whipped into the box, and Alexis Mac Allister rose superbly to glance his header beyond Courtois.

From that moment, Liverpool’s defensive discipline took centre stage. Bradley and Robertson were tireless on the flanks, while Mamardashvili’s calm presence underlined his growing influence in the team. Slot’s late substitutions provided energy and composure to see the game out as Madrid pressed in vain for an equaliser.

Final Thoughts

This was the kind of performance that defines progress under a new manager — organised, aggressive, and unrelenting. Dominik Szoboszlai once again proved his class, dictating tempo, pressing with intent, and assisting the winning goal in a man-of-the-match display.

Arne Slot’s Liverpool looked balanced and brave, and while the road to full consistency remains ahead, this victory will restore belief — both in the system and the squad’s mentality. With a trip to the Etihad looming, Liverpool will hope this is the night that marks the real beginning of their European resurgence.

⸻

Steven Smith’s Score Prediction:

Liverpool 2 – 2 Real Madrid