Real Madrid eased to a 3-1 victory over Liverpool in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final in the Spanish capital on Tuesday night, on their way to Anfield with a significant two-goal lead.
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The match started in a cagey way, but Real always looked comfortable and found an opening after 27 minutes when Vinicius Junior kicked home from a Toni Kroos long ball. A catastrophic mistake by Trent Alexander-Arnold doubled Liverpool’s problems as Marco Asensio made it 2-0, as the Reds stumbled at half-time completely peeled.
Asensio doubled Liverpool’s problems before halftime Quality Sport Images / Getty Images
As expected, Liverpool improved a lot immediately after the break and clawed back one through Mohamed Salah after 51 minutes and blew the game wide open. For all Liverpool’s progress, however, Zinedine Zidane’s side was very bored and took their visitors apart on the counter and added a third towards the race after 65 minutes.
The Los Blancos managed the match well all night and their third goal killed all of Liverpool’s speed, as they leaned back in shape and sucked away the away side’s attacks, before cutting through the field with a suitable clinic as the game diminished. Liverpool were largely outclassed and must use their away goal as inspiration for a second-back comeback.
Right then, this is how both sides’ players went.
Mendy was great for Madrid | Quality Sport Images / Getty Images
Thibaut Courtois (GK) – 5/10 – Never stopped Salah’s efforts up close and was otherwise worried.
Lucas Vasquez (RB) – 5/10 – Mixed performance from the provisional right back who played some nice passes from behind, but also lacked defensive discipline and played Salah in place for his goal.
Eder Militao (CB) – 7/10 – Made a good account of himself when he was called to action in the absence of both Raphael Varane and Sergio Ramos.
Nacho Fernandez (CB) – 6/10 – Vintage, no-nonsense performance from Nacho who was not always first to the ball, but cleared his lines well enough.Ferland Mendy (LB) – 8/10 – Had the battle of Alexander-Arnold with most attempts to get past him. Sharp defensively as well and insert a well timed block to stop a certain leveling after an hour.
Kroos pulled the strings all evening Angel Martinez / Getty Images
Casemiro (DM) – 8/10 – Had to break steps to stop Liverpool moves during the first half. Hit the press well during the second half and kept the pace next to Kroos, while making eight tackles and winning two flying duels.
Toni Kroos (CM) – 8/10 – Provided a sublime assist to find Vinicius in the first half with a launched ball across the field and forced the second in a similar way. A textbook that sends the whole show from Kroos.
Luka Modric (CM) – 6/10 – Uncharacteristically wasteful in possession during the first half, and was not all that in the game for the most part. But still managed to get an assist in true Luka Modric way.
Touch and finish from Vinícius Jr.? pic.twitter.com/DYb5j5M09z
– 90min (@ 90min_Football) April 6, 2021
Marco Asensio (RW) – 7/10 – On his toes and reacted well to a mistake before applying a smart finish to double the lead of the side. Worked hard and constantly caused problems.
Karim Benzema (ST) – 6/10 – Excellent stay game like ever from Benzema, but it often left him a little too far away to find a goal for himself.
Vinicius Junior (LW) – 9/10 – Showed his intent during the first half and proved his final touch with a clinical strike to give Real the lead. Ran Liverpool’s defense broke all night with fine footwork and put a vital stay with a snapshot from nothing.
Federico Valverde – 6/10
Rodrygo – Not applicable
Alexander-Arnold fought defensively | Quality Sport Images / Getty Images
Alisson (GK) – 5/10 – Was disappointed every time by his colleagues abroad; very little he could do with any of Los Blancos’ three goals.
Trent Alexander-Arnold (RB) – 4/10 – Struggling to deal with Ferland Mendy’s overlapping runs too often and had a shocker when he tried to hit a long ball back to the goal, which gave Marco Asensio. Something nice happens later, but the damage occurred.
Nathaniel Phillips (CB) – 5/10 – Caught under the ball in the build-up to Real’s opener. Phillips improved in the second half, but was caught again when Vinicius scored Real’s third goal.
Ozan Kabak (CB) – 5/10 – Started well but seemed to lose confidence when the mistakes increased, and was lucky not to let Asensio in for Real’s third before the first half.
Andy Robertson (LB) – 5/10 – Fought to keep Asensio and was poorly placed, while not adding anything to the attack. A bad night for the shots.
Wijnaldum disappeared | Soccrates Images / Getty Images
Fabinho (DM) – 5/10 – Broke up games sometimes, but was disappointed by his colleagues going forward.
Georginio Wijnaldum (CM) – 4/10 – Too pedestrian in the first half and a summary of Liverpool’s problems; slow, uninterested and always second best.
Near Keita (CM) – 3/10 – Too slow in possession and handed over possession cheaply. Hooked after 42 minutes to injure insult. Nightmare night for Naby Keita.
Liverpool did not have a single shot in the first half? #UCL pic.twitter.com/y58e1mlCM3
Goal (@goal) April 6, 2021
Mohamed Salah (RW) – 6/10 – Barely asserted himself in the first half, but much sharper after the break with his pressing and set a vital deflected goal.Diogo Jota (ST) – 5/10 – Caused Real’s midfielder when he was inside the penalty area, but it was not often enough.Sadio Mane (LW) – 4/10 – Dropped deep to at least try to influence games, but to no avail. Too quiet
Thiago Alcantara – 5/10 – Improved Liverpool’s quality of possession in midfield, but too complicated procedures too often.
Xherdan Shaqiri – N / A
Roberto Firmino – N / A
