PLAYER RATINGS: LIVERPOOL 2-5 REAL MADRID

Liverpool were battered at Anfield by a rampant Real Madrid side tonight. Despite taking a two goal lead, the Reds were pegged back in the first half before Real turned on the style in the second half to take the game away. Here are player ratings from the encounter.

Alisson – 4

Made a terrible error that saw Real pull level. That was an unnecessary goal to give away as he attempted to pass the ball out with Vinicius bearing down on him. Made a fantastic save to deny Vinicius earlier but that error was gut wrenching. Not sure there was much he could do about the other goals.

Alexander-Arnold – 4

Incisive pass into Gakpo in the lead up to the first goal. Threatened to combine with Salah to ruthless efficiency first half. Second half he was poor. Gave the ball away a lot and took some woeful corners.

Gomez – 3.5

Tough night for him. Didn’t do a lot wrong but you don’t need to against opposition of this class to get punished. Didn’t get tight enough to Vinicius for his first goal and stuck out a lazy leg at Benzema’s tame effort to deflect it past Alisson for their fourth. Not to forget giving away the free kick they scored from. When you list it all like that it’s a poor night for him.

Van Dijk – 4

Was on hand to hack a few crosses clear early on. How Eder Militao has a free header six yards out from a set piece is a question he’ll wrestle with all night. When you concede five goals at home, you have to look at the defence, and as the leader, he has to take most of the flak.

Robertson – 4

Guilty of standing off his man a number of times this season. Stood and watched as Rodrygo and Benzema exchanged quick passes in his area of the box to score a fourth. Shocking delivery going forward as well as he failed to test Carvajal for pace. One last man tackle to deny Rodrygo was a highlight. That goal saving tackle was all for nought in the end.

Fabinho – 6

I thought he was excellent first half. Was always on hand to receive the ball on the half turn and drive forward. It was the Fabinho we had become accustomed to all these years. That was until a poor touch second half saw him lose the ball to Modric in midfield. Instead of halting the counter and taking the yellow, he raised his hands and allowed Modric breeze through midfield to set up their fifth. That’s a cardinal sin for a DM. You take the yellow all day. Have to duck him a point for that.

Henderson – 6

Pressed relentlessly again tonight. Formed devastating triangles with Salah and Trent first half. Was a presence in both boxes as he steamed forward to support Salah and tracked back to help Trent with the electric Vinicius. Saw his side capitulate around him in the second half and was taken off.

Bajcetic – 6.5

Another matured display. His spray out to the right hand side in the buildup to the opening goal was simple enough but showed how calm he was in his surroundings. Won some key tackles in midfield and sprayed the ball around well. Lost it a few times but it comes with the territory. Curled one wide from range late on.

Salah – 7

Looked up for it from the first whistle. Played a delightful pass to set up Darwin’s opener. Should have added a second when he cut inside Alaba but could only screw his effort wide. Capitalised on Courtois’ error to make it 2-0. Second half I felt we couldn’t get him into the game as Real had stationed more men down his flank.

Gakpo – 5

Not in the game tonight. Worked hard off the ball and won it back a few times but couldn’t really get into it. His work in possession in and around the box wasn’t up to scratch.

Darwin – 6

Kick-started the fireworks with a lovely flick to open the scoring. Showed good awareness to track Carvajal’s run in the box and nod the cross meant for the full back out for a corner. Almost scored again but saw Carvajal block his shot before Militao completed the clearance off the line. Messed up one counter attack when he decided to take on his man rather than find Gakpo or Salah who were breaking away. Tired and was subbed after an hour.

Substitutes

Jota – 4

The ball kept bouncing off him. He’s working his way back to full sharpness so it’s a bit unfair to expect more.

Firmino – 5

Got on the ball in little pockets of space but the final ball wasn’t forthcoming. Should have shot first time on a number of occasions but took a touch in the box and got closed down every time.

Milner – N/A

Not the set of skills required tonight.

Matip – N/A

Carried the ball forward a few times.

Elliott – N/A

Clattered into his man and told the referee off when he blew for a foul. Only one in red not scared to take a yellow tonight.

Jürgen Klopp

The manager went with the same lineup that earned a victory away at Newcastle. It was a fantastic start as they went 2-0 up in next to no time. This Real side are reigning champions for a reason though and fought back in the first half. The second half was an absolute disaster for the Reds.

I don’t know what was worse, the defending for the set piece they scored from or the subsequent capitulation. The side has been susceptible to set pieces for a while now and it can’t all be blamed on the absence of Van Dijk through injury. A truly humbling result after a dream start.