Three talking points from Liverpool's first win against Real Madrid in 15 years
Players End Night: Liverpool Champions Super Victory Photo/jon Picture: Special Joins Manager The Madrid Ap Real His At Slot Over Pitch League The Arne The Of On
Five games, five wins in the Champions League under Arne Slot. Top of the table at home, by eight points, and in Europe by two.
A victory over Real Madrid for the first time in 15 years, a stunning penalty save from Caoimhin Kelleher (against Kylian Mbappe of all people) - and nobody talking about Jurgen Klopp anymore.
Could things get any better for Liverpool?
This was a night when the Merseyside giants proved they are serious Champions League contenders for 2025, and well ahead of schedule in their development under a new manager.
Yes, Real were missing some big names, and yes Mo Salah missed a penalty, too, but Liverpool were worthy winners and the noise from the Kop underlined just how big a victory this was in a new era.
The team has a more youthful feel than in recent seasons, with Cork hero Kelleher a prime example. But Curtis Jones was also excellent in midfield, outshining Jude Bellingham, as was young Conor Bradley, standing in for Trent Alexander-Arnold at full-back.
The team mixed Klopp-style intensity and pressing with a calm and attractive playing style when on the ball; a wonderful mix that is being developed far more quickly than anyone could have predicted.
This Liverpool team is already looking the real deal.
It seems almost crazy to talk about legendary manager Carlo Ancelotti being under pressure given everything he has achieved with the La Liga giants in his latest spell – which began with a Champions League Final victory over Liverpool in 2022. But when you are behind Barcelona in La Liga and 24th in the Champions League table, tongues start to wag.
Ancelotti's trophy haul since 2021 has included two La Liga titles, two Champions Leagues, two Supercopa de Espana, one Copa del Rey, two UEFA Super Cups and a FIFA Club World Cup.
But recent form, despite bringing in Mbappe in the summer, has left the Italian in trouble, especially as it has included heavy home defeats against Barca in La Liga and AC Milan in Europe.
Recent reports suggested Xabi Alonso is being considered as a possible replacement, and although Ancelotti has since insisted any issues with the board have since been resolved, this result – and performance - could bring the rumours back into focus.
At any other club in the world you would read the stories, raise an eyebrow and ignore it. But Real, and Florentino Perez, have a history of making big decisions about the removal of popular and successful managers.
So, although Ancelotti has a contract until 2026, there are still plenty of pundits predicting he may not last the distance. Defeat at Anfield, and an underwhelming performance in which Mbappe once again failed to impress, not least when seeing his penalty saved by Kelleher, will heighten the tension. Los Blancos have put everything into signing the former PSG star, and they can not afford for him to fail.
Real are now sit in the very last play-off place in the Champions League – and in danger of missing out on qualification all together. So don't rule anything out.
With Liverpool sitting eight points clear of nearest rivals City after only 11 games, Sunday’s clash between the two has huge significance – and their performance against Real will leave Arne Slot’s men as strong favourites.
The fixture becomes even bigger when you consider City’s run of six matches without a victory all competitions – the longest in Pep Guardiola’s managerial career.
It’s a run that include a 4-0 home humbling by Spurs as well as Premier League defeats at Bournemouth and Brighton, a 4-1 reverse at Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League, and a last-16 defeat at Tottenham in the League Cup.
City also threw away a three-goal lead, at home, against Feyenoord in midweek to draw 3-3, leaving them 17th in the Champions League table after tonight’s results.
It would be typical Guardiola to lead his team back to form with victory at Anfield, but that looks a long, long shot given the style and substance of Liverpool’s performance in Europe.
The only cloud was a late injury to influential Ibrahima Konate, one of Liverpool’s players of the season so far, who appeared to hobble off the pitch with only three days to go until City arrive on Merseyside.