Despite all the focus on Real Madrid’s lack of Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane – and Liverpool’s subsequent return to form after a 3-0 win over Arsenal – it was Los Blancos who eased to victory in the Champions League quarter – first match on Tuesday night.
The tie is not over until the fat lady sings as they say, and the reds still have the other leg at home to make a comeback, but there is plenty of work to do if they want to be within reach for it – kind of a lot.
Credit where credit matures, Real was virtually flawless. Zinedine Zidane’s side marched the game intelligently all the time and chose Liverpool with expert passing, resilient defense and attacks that were beautifully put together.
Real was first to all | Quality Sport Images / Getty Images
Liverpool made it far too easy for the hosts, right from the first whistle. Jurgen Klopp’s decision to start Diogo Jota was a popular one among fans, while the introduction of Naby Keita was interesting to say the least. None of that mattered after 26 minutes, but when a Toni Kroos long ball was enough to split the team completely and give the hosts 1-0 when Vinicius Junior kicked home.
The heads went down after an already quiet start. They were apparently too scared to push with their usual stinging intent and were punished as a result, with Kroos squirting passing as if it were an exhibition. The problems also worsened after admitting; the response from Liverpool was nothing but shambolic, as no one had the courage to take up their side and pull them forward.
The reaction was negative, the tails were fast between the legs and it only took nine minutes from the opener for Real to add a second, with an individual error from Trent Alexander-Arnold of all the people who gave them a goal. Klopp’s decision to pick up Keita three minutes before half time told how he felt about their first half, which set the tone for a miserable night in the office and created a mountain that was far too steep to climb.
Liverpool’s key players need to take more responsibility Fran Santiago / Getty Images
The only positive is that it could not get worse after the break, and it did not. Liverpool responded with their more characteristic pressure and got a potentially important goal back from it, which opened the game. Again, however, they failed to maintain the pressure and a combination of no leadership or discipline saw Real catch a third towards the end of the game.
Games over.
To suggest that it is a draw would be incredibly naive. The first stage was a telling performance of two completely different sides mentally, even though they shared some of the same fights at home this season. Real were fearless, calculated and persistent, while Liverpool were careless, disconnected and helpless.
If they want any chance of making a comeback in an empty Anfield, Klopp’s side must fix their mentality before Los Blancos arrive in England and show more urgency and the desire to take the game to their opponents.
