It was a very bitter night in the Champions League for Jürgen Klopp and his Liverpool FC: In front of their home crowd, the Reds lost a 2-0 lead over Real Madrid and lost the round of 16 first leg 2-5 (2-2).
269 days after winning the Champions League final, coach Carlo Ancelotti’s side once again lived up to their reputation as Liverpool’s feared opponents. The second leg on March 15 in Spain’s capital should only be a matter of form.
Darwin Nunez (4′) and Mohamed Salah (14′) gave the home side the lead – Vinicius Junior (21′, 36′), Eder Militao (47′) and Karim Benzema (55′, 67′) also provided a brace for a football spectacle. Toni Kroos came on as a substitute in the 87th minute after recovering from illness.
The hosts initially confirmed their rising form curve. With the first chance to score, Liverpool took the lead in the fourth minute. After a cross from Mo Salah, Darwin outwitted Nunez with a back-heel from Thibaut Courtois. Real’s goalkeeper made a serious mistake ten minutes later: after returning the ball, Courtois stumbled the ball, which Salah took advantage of to take a 2-0 lead.
Vinicius’ brace brings Real back
With the first shot on goal, the guests scored in the 21st minute, Vinicius Junior hit the right far corner after a one-two with Karim Benzema. Courtois’ opponent Alisson also made a mistake after returning: Liverpool’s goalkeeper shot Vinicius Junior, the ball bounced off his foot to make it 2-2.
Real turned the game around two minutes after the restart, Eder Militao heading in a free kick from Luka Modric to make it 3-2. A little later, Benzema increased his first goal of this Champions League season to 4: 2, Benzema’s shot after interacting with Rodrygo was deflected intolerably. Twelve minutes later, the French striker scored again after a well-played counterattack.
Real not only won the Champions League final last year, but also the 2018 final against Liverpool. In addition, the Madrilenians prevailed against the English in the 2021 quarter-finals. Most recently, Real lost to Liverpool in the premier class in 2009.
