Liverpool 1-0 Real Madrid RECAP – Alexis Mac Allister's header seals UEFA Champions League win at Anfield

Champions League / League Phase

Anfield / 04.11.2025

Liverpool

Finished

Real Madrid

A. Mac Allister(61')

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Highlights

22:30

RELENTLESS REDS FINALLY BREAK REAL RESISTANCE

Liverpool needed to be patient, and create a hatful of chances, before finally making the breakthrough to earn a 1-0 UEFA Champions League win over Real Madrid at Anfield.

Despite Xabi Alonso naming an attacking lineup for Los Blancos' visit to Merseyside, it was Arne Slot's tactical setup that proved superior, as his slightly tweaked lineup forced the in-form La Liga giants onto the back foot for the majority of the match.

Florian Wirtz was selected ahead of Cody Gakpo on the left of a three-man forward line, and the German produced an excellent performance as he created a host of first-half chances, coming in off the left flank to cause problems for the Madrid back line.

In midfield, Dominik Szoboszlai was pulling the strings, and as the match wore on, the Hungarian playmaker engaged in a head-to-head battle with Madrid keeper Thibaut Courtois as he repeatedly tested the Belgian's reflexes. Courtois' point-blank save from Szoboszlai was arguably the best of the bunch as he produced a string of impressive stops to keep Liverpool at bay.

With Courtois seemingly in career-best form between the sticks, Liverpool needed something special to beat him, and it came from the boot of Szoboszlai, who swung in an inch-perfect free-kick for Alexis Mac Allister, whose thumping header was too close, and too powerful, for even Courtois to save.

More chances came and went for the hosts, as Courtois denied Salah, and a brilliant block from Militao denied substitute Gakpo from the follow-up. But Liverpool wouldn't be denied, and with their defence, most notably the excellent Conor Bradley, keeping the much-hyped Madrid forward line quiet throughout the game, the Reds ran out deserved 1-0 winners.

Highlights: Mac Allister goal sees Reds beat Real, Alexander-Arnold booed

Video credit: TNT Sports

22:25

WIRTZ WORTH HIS SALT

There were a few eyebrows raised when Arne Slot selected Florian Wirtz on the left flank instead of Cody Gakpo, but the German number 7 delivered an excellent display as he repaid his manager's faith in a huge game.

22:23

BRILLIANT BRADLEY HELPS KEEP MADRID OUT

While many of the headlines will talk about Trent Alexander-Arnold, but the man who ultimately replaced him at right back deserves all the plaudits.

Conor Bradley had Vinicius Jr in his pocket for 95 minutes as he completely shut down the Brazilian winger.

22:12

COLE: ANFIELD BOOS FOR TRENT 'A REAL SHAME'

I think it's a real shame, I really do. I love Scousers, Liverpool fans, it's like they've all sent a memo round. This is one of your own, he has left your club. It was alright maybe early on, and a bit of pantomime. But it's just a shame for Trent, it's a shame for Liverpool fans, because he's going to move back to the city one day and his family are there. He should be treated like a hero. Real shame for him, and for the club. It's not like he's gone to Everton, or gone to Manchester United. He's gone to Real Madrid.

TNT Sports pundit Joe Cole on the Liverpool fans' booing of Trent Alexander-Arnold

22:10

PRESSURE PAYS OFF

Mac Allister sends Anfield wild with winner against Real - 'Pressure has told'

Video credit: TNT Sports

22:08

LIVERPOOL'S CLEAN SHEET AGAINST LOS BLANCOS

22:05

It wasn't quite the homecoming Trent Alexander-Arnold wanted. The reception was deafeningly negative when he was brought on, and though there were hugs with a slew of his ex-Liverpool team-mates at the whistle, his was a sombre walk off down the tunnel afterwards after an ineffective cameo. But with these sides having met in Europe so often, this probably won't be the final chapter in this story...

TNT Sports' Rob Hemingway at Anfield

90+5

FULL-TIME: LIVERPOOL 1-0 REAL MADRID

Thibaut Courtois was absolutely brilliant between the sticks for Los Blancos, but even he couldn't keep a clean sheet as Liverpool kept plugging away, and finally got the win their performance deserved, thanks to Alexis Mac Allister's second-half header.

STOPPAGE TIME

There will be FIVE additional minutes at the end of this game.

88'

LIVERPOOL SUB: ROBERTSON OFF, KERKEZ ON

88'

LIVERPOOL SUB: WIRTZ OFF, CHIESA ON

86'

SALAH AND GAKPO DENIED!

Brilliant defending from Courtois and Militao keeps Madrid in it as the Belgian stopper saves superbly to deny Mo Salah. Then, from the rebound, Militao throws his body in the way of Cody Gakpo's effort. On another night, Liverpool would be home and hosed already. But it's still only 1-0.

82'

HERE COMES TRENT ALEXANDER-ARNOLD

Anfield "welcomes" former ace Trent Alexander-Arnold with a chorus of boos as he's brought on for the largely ineffective Arda Guler.

78'

LIVERPOOL SUB: EKITIKÉ OFF, GAKPO ON

78'

LIVERPOOL SUB: MAC ALLISTER OFF, JONES ON

75'

MBAPPE FIRES WIDE!

Real Madrid are pushing forward in search of an equaliser and a first-time half-volley from Mbappe swerves past the left hand post.

Meanwhile, Curtis Jones and Cody Gakpo are being readied by the Liverpool bench. It looks like changes are imminent.

72'

TRENT ALEXANDER-ARNOLD IS WARMING UP

And the Anfield crowd aren't shy to let him know how they feel, as the boos ring around the stadium.

That noise will only get louder if Xabi Alonso decides to bring the former Liverpool man on.

69'

REAL MADRID SUB: CAMAVINGA OFF, RODRYGO ON

62'

THE GOAL IS GIVEN!

Replays clearly show that Mac Allister was played onside by Bellingham, and the goal stands! Liverpool have made the breakthrough.

61'

MAC ALLISTER HEADS LIVERPOOL IN FRONT!

From the resulting free-kick, Szoboszlai swings in a beaut of a delivery and Mac Allister gets up in front of the Madrid defence to head past Courtois, who is finally beaten.

But hang on, VAR is checking the goal for a possible offside...

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