Liverpool secured a statement 2-0 victory over Real Madrid in the Champions League, with midfielder Jude Bellingham conceding that the reigning champions were outplayed by the competition’s in-form team. The defeat leaves Real Madrid in a precarious position, sitting 24th in the 36-team table with just three games left to salvage their hopes of reaching the knockout stages.
Bellingham, reflecting on the match, didn’t shy away from the disappointment, admitting that Liverpool’s determination set them apart. “From the first minute, they just took control of the game,” he told TNT Sports. “I just think they were more up for it than us, to be honest, which is really disappointing to say. It’s a bad result against probably the best-performing team in Europe. It’s no disgrace to come here and lose, but we are disappointed in how we performed.”
Liverpool, who sit comfortably atop both their Champions League group with a perfect 15 points and the Premier League, outclassed Madrid on a rainy night at Anfield. Alexis Mac Allister broke the deadlock early in the second half after a dominant first period where Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois repeatedly denied the Reds. Cody Gakpo sealed the win with a late header after a missed penalty by Mohamed Salah.
Madrid, however, squandered opportunities to level the game. Kylian Mbappé saw his penalty saved by Liverpool’s stand-in goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher, who has impressed in the absence of the injured Alisson Becker. Despite the setback, Bellingham defended his teammate Mbappé, who has struggled to find his best form since joining Real Madrid. “Kylian can keep his head high. The penalty is not the reason why we lost. As a collective, we weren’t good enough on the night,” Bellingham said. “I know for sure he will produce many more huge moments for this club.”
Liverpool manager Arne Slot, who has overseen a remarkable start to his tenure with 17 wins in 19 matches, lauded his team’s performance and Kelleher’s heroics. “In most situations, you think penalties are going in because of their records, but both Mbappé and Salah missed. They showed us they’re human beings,” said Slot. “In Mbappé’s situation, Kelleher saved it, which made it even more special for us. He was outstanding all night.”
The win ended Liverpool’s eight-game winless streak against Madrid, a run that included defeats in the 2018 and 2022 Champions League finals. Slot acknowledged the significance of overcoming such a formidable opponent. “You know how special it is to play against a club that has won this competition so many times and has been a pain for Liverpool in the past,” he said.
As the group stage nears its conclusion, Liverpool continue to soar while Madrid must regroup quickly to avoid an early exit. Bellingham struck a note of urgency for his team: “We’ve got three games left in the group, and it’s important that we go and try to win all of them to give ourselves the best possible chance in the standings.”
