AFCON 2025
Liverpool recorded their second consecutive win over Real Madrid on Tuesday night as the Reds secured a 1-0 win – a scoreline that flatters the visitors.
Alexis MacAliister’s bullet header in the second half from Dominik Szoboszlai’s cross from a free-kick sealed the win for Arne Slot’s men at Anfield.
The win handed Real Madrid’s second loss of the season in all competitions for Xabi Alonso after losing to Atletico Madrid in the Madrid Derby in September.
Below are the three lessons learned from the match.
1. Thibaut Courtois is the best goalkeeper in the world
The Belgian goalkeeper had an outstanding performance on the night as he kept Real Madrid in the game. Courtois made breath-taking saves from close range otherwise the score would have been embarrassing. The 33-year-old former Chelsea goalkeeper made eight saves in one of his most terrific performances yet in the colors of Real Madrid.
2. Too many passes
Real Madrid played one too mane passes sideways without playing through the middle which gave Liverpool the opportunity to put two men on Vinicius Jr and Arder Guler on the wings. Also, Real Madrid had very limited movements in Liverpool’s box especially in the second half as Liverpool’s defensive shape forced the attackers wide.
3. Fouls around the box
Real Madrid made many mistakes around their box 18 one of which led to the free-kick that to the goal. Jude Bellingham’s foul on a Liverpool player resulted a free-kick that gave Liverpool the only goal of the match. Szoboszlai had earlier had a shot on goal from a free-kick around the edge of the box but Courtois made a fine save to deny the Hungarian midfielder.
