Liverpool claimed a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Real Madrid at Anfield to hand the Spanish champions their first Champions League defeat of the season.
Alexis Mac Allister’s second half header secured the win on a night when the Premier League side dominated large spells of play and could easily have scored more.
Real Madrid arrived in England as LaLiga leaders, having lost just once in all competitions this campaign, but found themselves second best throughout.
Liverpool entered the contest on the back of a poor domestic run but looked revitalised in Europe.
Their energy and precision unsettled Madrid, whose manager Xabi Alonso endured another unhappy return to his former club.
Thibaut Courtois kept the visitors in the game with a series of outstanding saves, denying Dominik Szoboszlai and Darwin Nunez before the breakthrough finally arrived in the 61st minute.
Szoboszlai’s curling free kick found Mac Allister unmarked and the Argentine midfielder powered his header beyond the Madrid goalkeeper.
Liverpool continued to press for a second goal but were frustrated by further Courtois saves and a rejected penalty appeal after Aurelien Tchouameni appeared to handle the ball in the area. At the other end, in form forwards Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham struggled to make an impact against a disciplined Liverpool defence.
Bellingham’s appearance nevertheless marked his 50th in the Champions League, making him the youngest player to reach that milestone.
Substitute Trent Alexander Arnold, once a fan favourite at Anfield, endured a difficult return as Madrid chased an equaliser. His every touch was met with boos from the home crowd, who celebrated Liverpool’s resilience and renewed confidence at the final whistle.
The result leaves Real Madrid’s unbeaten European record broken and Liverpool’s revival gaining momentum.
