Liverpool continued their resurgence with a deserved 1-0 Champions League victory over Real Madrid at Anfield, courtesy of Alexis Mac Allister’s header, leaving former Red Xabi Alonso to suffer another defeat on his return.
Liverpool secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Real Madrid at a raucous Anfield, according to FotMob reporting, igniting their Champions League campaign and ensuring a sour return for both former players Trent Alexander-Arnold and Xabi Alonso.
The only goal of the European heavyweight clash came on the hour mark from Alexis Mac Allister, who bulleted a close-range header past Thibaut Courtois from a Dominik Szoboszlai free-kick, having his goal upheld after a brief VAR check for offside.
The match was dominated by the subplot of Alexander-Arnold’s first return to his boyhood club since his controversial free transfer in June.
The defender, who started on the bench, was greeted with boos from sections of the home support when he emerged for the warm-up and again when he entered the game in the 81st minute, replacing Federico Valverde.
Despite the reception, Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso was on the sidelines, looking on as his previously high-flying side struggled to compete, enduring only their second defeat of the season.
The coach, who was hailed as a potential future Liverpool boss, had little to cheer about and was even booked late in the game for protesting a decision.
Arteta’s advice to Alexander-Arnold before the game was simple: “He has to have his own feelings and enjoy it his own way.” However, Mac Allister’s goal confirmed that this was Liverpool’s night, leaving Alonso to taste defeat yet again