Liverpool Beat Real Madrid On Xavi Alonso's Return To Anfield

 

Liverpool legend Xabi Alonso lost on his return to Anfield as the Real Madrid boss in the heavyweight clash at the UEFA Champions League phase.

After six defeats in Liverpool’s previous seven matches heading into their weekend fixture with Aston Villa, they had home supporters on edge. Still, Arne Slot’s team produced a gutsy display to ease the palpable tension with a 2-0 win. 

The Reds returned to Anfield in a monumental clash, one that should suit them perfectly, as they’ve won 16 successive UCL group/league phase games on their own turf, scoring 2+ goals in each of the last 14. They’ve also won five consecutive European group/league phase games against Spanish teams, beating Atlético earlier this season.

Real Madrid arrive on Merseyside in scintillating form, winning 13 of their previous 14 games this season to sit top of La Liga, while boasting a perfect record in the UCL. Unfortunately, the Reds found a goalscoring advantage from a set piece. Alexis Mac-Allister reacted to Dominik  Szoboszlai's free-kick and pounced on a header into the net just after the hour. 

Meanwhile, Alonso has had no trouble living up to the club’s greatest expectations in this competition, where they are still looking to top the league phase, considering that they have won 15 of their last 18 group/league phase games. 

The defeat was Real's first in this competition this season. Despite the loss, Real maintained their position in the top five as Liverpool trailed in sixth position.