Madrid come from 2 down to destroy Liverpool in 1st leg of Champions League

In a repeat of last season’s final in Paris, holders Real Madrid took a significant step forward to the Quarter Finals by defeating Liverpool 5-2 away at Anfield.

Photo: Stephen Gormley (Red Eye Photo Agency)

This was a heavyweight European clash and it was never going to disappoint. The roof of the stadium nearly lifted off with the atmosphere at the start of the match. Liverpool started the game at a frantic pace and it looked like Madrid were going to get blown away.

It was wave of attacks down Madrid’s left hand side with Trent Alexander causing them lots of problems. It was a great ball over from Trent finished off with a beautiful flick from Nunez to make it 1-0 to Liverpool after just four minutes.

Liverpool were soon two up ten minutes later following an awful mistake from the Madrid goalkeeper. He miscontrolled a back pass and Salah was there ready to pounce to finish with the inside of his left foot.

Photo: Stephen Gormley (Red Eye Photo Agency)

However Madrid refused to lie down. Vinicius Junior struck the ball low and hard past Allison from a tight angle just inside the 18 yard box to get one back from the Champions in the 21^st minute.

Another awful goalkeeping error saw the match level again ten minutes before half time. Gomez cleaned up a Madrid attack and gave the ball back to Allison who tried to clear it but was a little too clever and hit off the back of the on-rushing Junior who turned to see the rebound land in the back of the net. Liverpool had some chances in the first half to get back ahead but Salah was not able to finish them off.

The second half started with Gomez giving away a free kick which seemed very harsh. Modric swung in a beautiful ball to the on rushing Eder Militao who finished with a thundering header into the back of the net to make it 3-2 to Madrid.

Less than ten minutes later it was 4-2 with a miss hit shot from Karim Benzema deflecting off the boot of Gomez to leave Allison with no chance. A night that started so well for Liverpool was turning into a living football nightmare.

On the 67th minute Madrid caught Liverpool on the break. The ball was played through to Benzema who had too much space and time in the box before settling himself to smash the ball into the back of the net to make it 5-2 to the visitors.

The Liverpool fans stayed to the end and clapped the Madrid players off the famous Anfield pitch. It was the first time in Liverpool’s long European history that any team have managed to score five goals against them at Anfield.

Liverpool were sloppy in midfield and at the back and got convincingly punished for their mistakes by the European and World champions. Liverpool will need a footballing miracle in Madrid in three weeks’ time. For Madrid they keep on marching on in relentless fashion. It will take a special team to stop them lifting the title in Istanbul in June.