REAL MADRID came from two-goals down to win at Anfield 5-2.
Goals from Vinicius Jr, Eder Militao and Karim Benzema fired the defending European champions to a stunning win.
After Darwin Nunez and Mo Salah’s early strikes, Liverpool simply collapsed in the face of a superior and more composed opponent.
Goals: Nunez (4), Salah (14); Vinicius Jr (21, 36), E Militao (47), Benzema (55, 67)
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Klopp’s headache set to continue
The biggest question that is being asked of this Liverpool team this season is whether they will be able to achieve a top four finish.
Without that, the implications are huge to the club.
Klopp may have to now focus on their remaining league fixtures to try and ensure they stand any chance of reducing the gap between themselves and teams vying for the Champions League qualification spots.
Watch out for those hairdryers
Jurgen Klopp will no doubt be tearing into his side in the changing rooms right about now.
Not one to pull any punches, his players can expect the full hairdryer treatment from the Liverpool manager.
The fans would say, rightly so, as they saw their team make far too many mistakes and they were up against a side who punished them.
Real Madrid took their chances and humbled The Reds in front of their own fans.
Credit: Getty Liverpool legend has his say
Ex-Liverpool centre-back Jamie Carragher gave his verdict on Jurgen Klopp’s side this evening as he spoke with CBS:
That was shambolic from Liverpool. Embarrassing. We’ve made excuses for them all season but that was a disgrace in that second half.
Jamie Carragher
Croatian rolling back the years
Some people have questioned whether this Real Madrid side is too old now and needs revamping.
Luka Modric answered those questions this evening with a sublime performance.
In the heart of midfield he was pulling the strings and the 37-year-old was ghosting past players he is almost double the age of.
FT: Liverpool 2-5 Real Madrid
Well, that was a footballing lesson by the Spanish giants.
Clinical in front of goal, they punished Liverpool for every mistake they made.
Luka Modric has shown tonight that form is temporary, class is permanent.
FT: Liverpool 2-5 Real Madrid
The referee blows his whistle to bring the game to an end.
Liverpool’s fans will be somewhat relieved.
This has been a hiding at Anfield tonight.
Liverpool 2-5 Real Madrid
90+2. Liverpool have been the comeback kings in Europe for so many years but this will be surely too big of an ask even for The Reds.
Salah goes down in the box and there is a half-hearted appeal for a penalty but the referee is not interested.
The home fans sing ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’.
Liverpool 2-5 Real Madrid
90. Jurgen Klopp looks like he is ready to go home.
What makes it worse for the German manager is that he is going to have to watch this all again to do his analysis of the game.
Madrid are still looking to come forward, they are not done.
There are going to be three minutes added.
Liverpool 2-5 Real Madrid
88. Madrid make a few changes now with Benzema and Modric coming off for Asensio and Toni Kroos.
The Spanish side have some big games coming up.
Ancelotti would not have expected to be able to rest players at any stage in this game tonight.
Credit: Getty
Liverpool 2-5 Real Madrid
86. Elliott comes on for Bajcetic.
Alexander-Arnold whips in a corner but Madrid clear easily.
What a difference in the atmosphere now compared to the first 15 minutes of this game.
Liverpool 2-5 Real Madrid
84. It won’t be long before the home end starts looking like we are having a fire drill.
Modric has been immense this evening, rolling back the years.
Nacho comes down the flank and he thinks he should have a free kick but the referee is not having any of it.
Liverpool 2-5 Real Madrid
82. Any side left in the competition who wondered if Real Madrid were capable of defending their crown have had their answer here tonight.
This side just do not know when they are beaten.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side certainly have not read the script.
Liverpool 2-5 Real Madrid
80. The home fans are relishing the final whistle now.
Real Madrid have put Klopp’s side to the sword this evening.
Rodrygo comes off for Ceballos.
Liverpool 2-5 Real Madrid
78. You have to credit where it’s due, Madrid’s performance has been something else.
Most sides would have crumbled going 2-0 down so early on in a big European night at Anfield.
Klopp’s side have big worries about qualifying for next season’s competition, but they can be assured that it is over for this one.
Credit: EPA Liverpool 2-5 Real Madrid
76. Liverpool are struggling to get the ball off Madrid.
They are the masters of controlling the game when they don’t need to chase it.
These fans will not forget where they were when Liverpool conceded five goals in the Champions League for the first time.
Liverpool 2-5 Real Madrid
74. Joe Gomez comes off for Joel Matip.
If Gomez had anymore of a nightmare this evening, no one would be surprised to find his home address is Elm Street.
This tie is all but over for Jurgen Klopp’s side.
Liverpool 2-5 Real Madrid
72. This is not a sight these fans are used to seeing.
The last team to score five goals at Anfield were Arsenal in the Carabao Cup four years ago.
Madrid are starting to dominate the ball.
Liverpool 2-5 Real Madrid
70. This has gone from the sublime to the surreal.
Liverpool were 2-0 up in this game and since that, Madrid have scored five unanswered goals.
Looking around the ground the fans look stunned.
Liverpool 2-5 Real Madrid
68. Wow, this has gone pear-shaped for Liverpool.
Modric and Vinicius Junior combine before finding the Ballon D’Or winner.
He takes the ball around on the onrushing Alisson and slots the ball home.
Credit: Getty Goal – Karim Benzema (Real Madrid)
Liverpool 2-4 Real Madrid
66. The ball breaks out to Bajcetic and he tries to curl one in from some distance.
It looked closer from some angles but was not troubling Courtois in the Madrid goal.
Madrid clear downfield and van Dijk heads the ball clear.
Liverpool 2-4 Real Madrid
64. Klopp does not look a happy man on the touchline.
Robertson is still driving forward looking to support their attacks.
Alexander-Arnold crosses and Carvajal puts it behind for a corner.
Liverpool 2-4 Real Madrid
62. This could play into the visitors hands now that Liverpool need to chase the game.
Modric is finding too much space in the centre of park here.
Rudiger tries an optimistic effort from long range, well over.
Gakpo and Nunez are coming off for Jota and Firmino.
Liverpool 2-4 Real Madrid
60. Vinicius Junior gets a yellow card for trying to delay a free kick.
As Liverpool come forward, the attack breaks down and the visitors look to counter attack.
They are in no rush now having already scored four goals this evening.
Liverpool 2-4 Real Madrid
58. We still have over 30 minutes of this game remaining and there has already been six goals.
Am sure we will see more.
The referee is having a word with Nunez who went in with his arm leading against Rudiger.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
