Liverpool 1-0 Real Madrid: In-form Courtois powerless to resist brilliant Reds | OneFootball

Thibaut Courtois was unable to prevent Liverpool’s hard-fought 1-0 win against Real Madrid in Trent Alexander-Arnold’s return to Anfield in the Champions League.

A goalless first half was overshadowed by a free kick for a handball by Aurélien Tchouaméni, seemingly inside the penalty area, being overturned after a lengthy VAR review.

Alexis Mac Allister haunted Madrid once more by heading in Dominik Szoboszlai’s free kick, securing a deserved second victory in as many games against Los Blancos.

As It Happened

Liverpool dominated the ball in a largely cagey opening, as the first opening saw Jude Bellingham tee up the in-form Kylian Mbappé but his shot was high over.

Florian Wirtz raced onto a miscued tackle from Dean Huijsen 30 minutes in and squared for Szoboszlai, yet Courtois shot off of his line to make a huge save.

Real Madrid then had another scare when referee István Kovács’ VAR review controversially overturned a free kick awarded for a handball by Tchouaméni, which appeared to be inside the box.

The Reds were soon playing with a bite in the tackle and pressing high, to which the home crowd responded well.

Szoboszlai would test Courtois once more a few minutes before the break, forcing the Belgian goalkeeper into a fine stop to parry his powerful effort from distance.

Giorgi Marmadashvili was then called into action to save Bellingham’s shot from a tight angle, receiving a cutback from Vinícius Júnior on the end of a crossfield switch by Federico Valverde.

The game showed few signs of slowing as Courtois produced two phenomenal saves three minutes after the break to deny Virgil van Dijk and Hugo Ekitike from back-to-back corners.

Ryan Gravenberch was then bundled over from behind by Jude Bellingham, and Szoboszlai’s free kick was beaten away by Courtois for his seventh save of the night.

Full-back Álvaro Carreras decided to take matters into his own hands, dribbling the ball in between Conor Bradley and Ibrahima Konaté and rolling a low shot not far wide.

Madrid’s discipline started to suffer as they conceded another free kick within striking range with an hour gone, warranting a yellow card for Bellingham.

It proved to be a fatal error as Mac Allister headed home Szoboszlai’s free kick – his second goal in as many games against Los Blancos – to put Liverpool in front.

Time seemed to stand still as Mbappé steered Vinícius’ cross from the left just wide on the half-volley, in one of his side’s only clear opportunities in the second half.

In arguably the most anticipated moment of the 90, Alexander-Arnold’s entrance off the bench was met by a chorus of boos from the Anfield crowd – as was every touch of the ball.

Liverpool almost scored a second seven minutes from time as Cody Gakpo was denied at point blank range by Courtois, before Mohamed Salah’s stike was well-blocked.

Madrid sprang forward late on, but Alexander-Arnold’s cross cleared the penalty area with no white shirt in the box – met with many sarcastic jeers.

The away side, who had won 13 of their opening 14 matches, ultimately had very little penetration going forward.

Their best start to a season in over 60 years suffered a hit as a rejuvenated Liverpool side secured the win.

The lineups