By 
Liverpool put a miserable run behind them with a dominant performance to end Real Madrid’s perfect Champions League start, securing a 1-0 win at Anfield on Tuesday.
Alexis Mac Allister headed in the only goal of the match, while Madrid were grateful to goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois for keeping the scoreline respectable.
According to SuperSport, Trent Alexander-Arnold was met with a hostile reception on his return to Liverpool as a late substitute, but the home crowd roared the Reds over the line in what could prove a turning point in their season.
Both sides are now tied on nine points from their opening four games of the league phase.
Liverpool, who had lost six of their last eight games in all competitions, halted their poor run by beating Aston Villa on Saturday after manager Arne Slot opted for a more trusted team selection.
Florian Wirtz replaced Cody Gakpo in the only change from the weekend, and Liverpool looked much more like the side that stormed to the Premier League title last season.
Real Madrid, who had lost only twice in 20 games under former Liverpool favourite Xabi Alonso, relied heavily on Courtois to avoid a repeat of their only previous defeat this season—a 5-2 loss to Atletico Madrid.
The Belgian goalkeeper, who broke Liverpool hearts with a man-of-the-match display in the 2022 Champions League final, was again at his best. His busy night began when Wirtz teed up Dominik Szoboszlai, who failed to beat Courtois from point-blank range.
Madrid were then rescued by a VAR review that ruled Aurelien Tchouameni’s handball unintentional, before Courtois denied another thunderous Szoboszlai effort as Liverpool pressed for the opener.
It took Madrid’s star-studded attack 45 minutes to register a shot on target, when Jude Bellingham weaved through the box and fired low, only for Giorgi Mamardashvili to save with his feet.
Courtois continued to frustrate Liverpool early in the second half, clawing away powerful headers from Virgil van Dijk and Hugo Ekitike before denying Szoboszlai again from a free-kick.
But after an hour, the breakthrough finally came—Mac Allister rose highest to power in a header from Szoboszlai’s free-kick, ending Courtois’ resistance and sealing Liverpool’s crucial victory.
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