Reigning champions Real Madrid, who beat Liverpool in last season’s final in Paris, became the first side to score five at Anfield in Europe as the Reds’ Champions League berth shattered by a record home defeat. Vinicius Junior and Karim Benzema scored twice to beat the home team from behind to have an advantage in the quarter finals. Get more Premier League updates and predictions here!
“We suffered a lot early on, you can’t start games like that, but fortunately the team had a cool head,” said Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti. “Up front today we were very efficient. Every time we broke the press of Liverpool we were able to create chances.” Liverpool got an early advantage as Darwin Nunez struck a goal four minutes into the game, while Mohamed Salah added another 10 minutes later.
Vinicius scored twice to tie the score by halftime before Eder Militao had given Carlo Ancelotti’s team the lead, and Benzema’s brace sealed a huge win for the holders. The Spanish giants are only the second team in the history of European competitions to score five goals in a single match against Liverpool, after Ajax in December 1966 in the European Cup. Don’t miss football predictions here!
“We made too many mistakes around the goals,” Liverpool coach JurgenKlopp said. “When you make too many mistakes, teams like Madrid punish you.” Last year, Real Madrid down Liverpool in the final of the Champions League, with Vinicius Junior scoring the only goal of the game to give Real their record-extending 14th Champions League trophy.
Earlier, Real Madrid has added another trophy to their already impressive haul by winning their record-extending FIFA Club World Cup 2023 title, beating Saudi Arabia’s Al-Hilal 5-3 in the final. They are now looking for another treble as they aim to win back-to-back Champions League and La Liga titles. They currently sit second in the league table behind leaders Barcelona.
Meanwhile, Liverpool moves sixth in the Premier League table, six points behind fourth-place Tottenham Hotspur with a game in hand. They look to reach another year in the Champions League as they make a strong push in the English top-flight. They will meet Wolverhampton Wanderers next.
Exciting games and big wins as you visit 12BET where exclusive promotions await for you.
Visit 12BET login and join us to claim exclusive benefits and more!
