EXPRESS
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp undeniably had his work cut out trying to spark another Champions League miracle in Madrid against the competition’s most successful club but there were several calls at the Bernabeu that hindered the Reds’ small chances of qualification. Carlo Ancelotti’s side cruised into the quarter-finals as they successfully kept Liverpool at bay before securing a 1-0 victory late into the game courtesy of Karim Benzema’s tap in.
The Reds were always facing a near-on impossible task following their second-half capitulation at Anfield when Real Madrid ruthlessly ripped Liverpool’s defence apart to score five goals after going 2-0 down.
Yet despite needing three goals, Liverpool never truly looked like scoring due to their lack of cutting edge and conviction in the crunch moments.
Klopp’s decision to play 4-2-4 left the Reds exposed in midfield and allowed Luka Modric and Toni Kroos to assert control.
In the wide areas, Liverpool were overly attack-minded and Vinicius Jr enjoyed another fine evening as he revelled in the chance to target Trent Alexander-Arnold’s defensive frailties.
While Klopp deserves credit for going for broke and showing courage with his starting XI, the tactical tweak actually proved to be their Achilles’ heel.
Diogo Jota was poor and rightfully subbed while Mohamed Salah was once again too far away from the goal on the right flank. Cody Gakpo also looked lost as failed to make any form of real impact in attack.
Klopp evidently knew the balance was not quite up for scratch as he made a double change on the hour mark, withdrawing Jota and Darwin Nunez.
While Liverpool looked more solid with Harvey Elliott and Roberto Firmino on the field, they never really looked like breaking down the Real Madrid door.
