Liverpool edged Real Madrid 1-0 in the UEFA Champions League at Anfield, thanks to a decisive Alexis Mac Allister header, as Trent Alexander-Arnold endured a difficult return to Merseyside.
Thibaut Courtois was outstanding for Madrid, pulling off a string of fine saves to deny Dominik Szoboszlai, and later tipping over headers from Virgil van Dijk and Hugo Ekitike, both created by Florian Wirtz on his recall to the starting lineup.
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Arne Slot’s Premier League champions, fresh from a morale-boosting victory over Aston Villa, continued their resurgence with a commanding display against the Spanish giants. Mac Allister’s header proved the difference, while Courtois ensured the margin remained narrow.
Both teams now sit on nine points after four games in the group phase.
Liverpool, who had lost six of their previous eight in all competitions, looked revitalised with Florian Wirtz replacing Cody Gakpo in the only change from the weekend.
“It’s easy to say now because we’ve won twice in a row,” said captain Virgil van Dijk. “In a world of chaos, you have to stay calm and see perspective. We all know how football works; it can change overnight.”
For Real Madrid, it was only their third defeat in 21 matches under Xabi Alonso, who remained upbeat despite the setback.
“Nothing to reproach the team for,” said Alonso. “It’s only the league phase, and we can recover these points. We lost due to small details; we lacked threat in the final third.”
