By Razeen Gutta
Liverpool’s remarkable run continued with a 2-0 win over defending champions Real Madrid in the Uefa Champions League on Wednesday.
Arne Slot’s Reds became just the fifth side to win their opening five games of a Champions League campaign while conceding just one goal in the process.
The Dutchman, continuing a phenomenal start to the campaign, became their first manager since Rafa Benitez in 2009 to beat Los Blancos.
Thibaut Courtois, who was man of the match when the sides met in the 2022 final, made some crucial saves to deny Darwin Nunez in the opening half leaving proceedings goalless going into the break.
In the second period, Alexis Mac Allister broke the deadlock in front of the Kop and sprung the game back into life.
Lucas Vasquez won a penalty for the visitors — and Kylian Mbappe looked certain to level matters in front of the away end.
In the ongoing absence of Alisson, Caoimhin Kelleher stepped up to make the save.
The goalkeeper has now stopped three of the four penalties he has faced for Liverpool in all competitions as Mbappe failed to convert for the just the second time in the Champions League.
Liverpool would miss a golden opportunity to put the game to bed as Mohamed Salah was off target from a penalty of his own just minutes later.
With quarter of an hour to play, Cody Gakpo would double the advantage, though, as he netted home a header from an Andy Robertson cross.
Carlo Ancelotti’s troops were uninspiring going forward and the Reds would claim all three points as their busy festive period got off to the most perfect of starts.
Slot’s side sit comfortably atop both the Champions League and Premier League standings’ as they next await Manchester City at Anfield on Sunday.
Pictured above: Liverpool 2-0 Real Madrid
Source: @theanfieldwrap
