Real Madrid vs Liverpool LIVE: Result and reaction as Reds crash out of Champions League
Real Madrid 1-0 Liverpool (6-2 agg): Jurgen Klopp’s men failed to overcome a three-goal deficit from the first leg
Liverpool’s impossible job against Real Madrid in the Bernabeu proved exactly that as there was no dramatic comeback and a 1-0 defeat saw them exit the Champions League without much of a fight.
All the damage had been done in the first leg but even with a 5-2 deficit there remained the romantic notion among the die-hards and dreamers that Jurgen Klopp’s side could fashion a performance to rival that of Istanbul 2005 or Anfield 2019 against Barcelona.
Klopp gave his side a one per cent chance ahead of the game but had it not been for the brilliance of goalkeeper Alisson Becker all hope would have been extinguished in the opening quarter.
This was the 14-time winners’ 300th Champions League match and all that experience showed with a balanced and controlled display of sharp attacking and tidy defending capped by a goal from their long-time nemesis Karim Benzema. However, it may be Liverpool’s last in the competition for a while unless they can iron out wild inconsistencies in their domestic form.
Relive the action as Liverpool exit the Champions League at the hands of Real Madrid:
Real Madrid 0-0 Liverpool (5-2 agg)
39 mins: Nacho and Mo Salah both try to win an aerial ball. Salah lands on Nacho’s foot and the Real Madrid defender goes down like he’s been shot.
Salah is left bewildered as the referee awards Madrid a free kick.
Real Madrid 0-0 Liverpool (5-2 agg)
36 mins: Save! Milner floats the ball into the box and finds Salah who lays the ball off to Jota. He squares it over to Gakpo who lets fly whith a strong strike and forces Courtois to palm it behind for another corner.
Good save from the Real goalkeeper.
Real Madrid 0-0 Liverpool (5-2 agg)
33 mins: A Liverpool corner is whipped in by Andy Robertson but Thibaut Courtois is there to punch it away. Things just aren’t quite falling for Liverpool from an attacking perspective.
A goal before half-time could change that though.
Real Madrid 0-0 Liverpool (5-2 agg)
30 mins: Liverpool come again with Fabinho dribbling through midfield. He chips a pass into the left side of the box where Darwin Nunez nods an effort into the hands of Thibaut Courtois.
The tempo of this game has just started to die down a little.
Real Madrid 0-0 Liverpool (5-2 agg)
26 mins: Close! Darwin Nunez does brilliantly to keep the ball in play over on the right wing. His cross comes over to Andy Robertson who sends it back inside.
Fabinho lays the ball to Trent Alexander-Arnold to deliver another whipping ball into the middle. He does and finds Cody Gakpo who glances a header wide of the target.
Real Madrid 0-0 Liverpool (5-2 agg)
23 mins: Alisson has made two unbelievable saves already for Liverpool. Is that a sign that things may just turn Liverpool’s way?
Maybe not. Luka Modric nails a shot from range and launches one just over the top of the goal. Real Madrid have taken control of the game here.
The hosts are creating chance after chance.
Real Madrid 0-0 Liverpool (5-2 agg)
20 mins: Crossbar! Eduardo Camavinga is given the ball about 25-yards out from goal. He’s allowed time to set himself and smoke a left-footed effort towards goal.
Alisson seems to have a got a finger to the ball which tips it onto the crossbar where it rebounds safely away!
Real Madrid 0-0 Liverpool (5-2 agg)
18 mins: Save! The ball is looped over to the far post where Vinicius Jr volleys an effort at goal only to be denied by the outstretched arms of Alisson from point blank range.
Brilliant from the Liverpool goalkeeper.
Liverpool have only had one shot - Darwin Nunez - compared to five efforts from Madrid but it doesn’t feel as though the hosts are bossing the game.
The Reds are a threat. The opening goal could be crucial.
Real Madrid 0-0 Liverpool (5-2 agg)
15 mins: Federico Valverde clears Real’s lines and sets up a wonderful chance for the hosts. Vinicius takes control of the ball and carries it down the left hand channel.
He flicks it over to Karim Benzema but the striker’s touch fails him and the ball bounces too far away from him allowing the Reds to get back and recover the ball.
Real Madrid 0-0 Liverpool (5-2 agg)
12 mins: Toni Kroos fizzes a shot straight into the arms of Alisson before Liverpool sweep up the pitch. Fabinho floats a diagonal ball over to Mo Salah who brings it under control and drives past Nacho.
He sends the ball into the penalty area but a sprawling Antonio Rudiger turns it behind for a corner.
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