Real Madrid vs Liverpool LIVE: Result and reaction as Reds crash out of Champions League
Real Madrid 1-0 Liverpool (6-2 agg): Jurgen Klopp’s men failed to overcome a three-goal deficit from the first leg
Liverpool’s impossible job against Real Madrid in the Bernabeu proved exactly that as there was no dramatic comeback and a 1-0 defeat saw them exit the Champions League without much of a fight.
All the damage had been done in the first leg but even with a 5-2 deficit there remained the romantic notion among the die-hards and dreamers that Jurgen Klopp’s side could fashion a performance to rival that of Istanbul 2005 or Anfield 2019 against Barcelona.
Klopp gave his side a one per cent chance ahead of the game but had it not been for the brilliance of goalkeeper Alisson Becker all hope would have been extinguished in the opening quarter.
This was the 14-time winners’ 300th Champions League match and all that experience showed with a balanced and controlled display of sharp attacking and tidy defending capped by a goal from their long-time nemesis Karim Benzema. However, it may be Liverpool’s last in the competition for a while unless they can iron out wild inconsistencies in their domestic form.
Relive the action as Liverpool exit the Champions League at the hands of Real Madrid:
Real Madrid 0-0 Liverpool (5-2 agg)
60 mins: Diogo Jota and Darwin Nunez are taken off by Jurgen Klopp now with Roberto Firmino and Harvey Elliott brought on.
Real Madrid knock the ball down the left wing where Vinicius Jr looks to sprint in behind. Ibrahima Konate gets across and manages to poke the ball out of play.
Real Madrid 0-0 Liverpool (5-2 agg)
57 mins: By my count that is three massive saves from Alisson now. Real Madrid could have been out of sight. The Reds haven’t got an answer at the minute.
Real Madrid look like scoring with every attack.
Real Madrid 0-0 Liverpool (5-2 agg)
54 mins: Save! Alisson comes to the rescue again for Liverpool! A mistake from Andy Robertson sees the ball come Karim Benzema who gives it to Federico Valverde.
He touches it into the box then flicks his shot straight at the goalkeeper who drops low to keep the ball out.
Real Madrid 0-0 Liverpool (5-2 agg)
51 mins: Someone needs to tell Nacho that the Oscars were last Sunday. He’d be in with a shout of winning Best Actor as he convinces the referee that Diogo Jota has injured him with a stray leg.
Real Madrid don’t do much with the free kick and Liverpool are quick to recover the ball.
Real Madrid 0-0 Liverpool (5-2 agg)
48 mins: Liverpool win a corner early in the second half and Andy Robertson is tasked with whipping it into the box. He does an admirable job but Eduardo Camavinga is up highest to head it clear.
Second half: Real Madrid 0-0 Liverpool (5-2 agg)
Can Liverpool get this comeback firing? It was already a mammoth task but now it seems vitually impossible. There have been no changes at the break as Real Madrid get the match back underway.
HT Real Madrid 0-0 Liverpool (5-2 agg)
It’s a very close affair. Real Madrid have had nine chances with four on target whilst Liverpool have created eight and also had four on target.
The Reds need to score though. One goal could bring two and if they get close to Madrid then the hosts could panic.
HT Real Madrid 0-0 Liverpool (5-2 agg)
Half-time: Real Madrid 0-0 Liverpool (5-2 agg)
45 mins: Nothing to separate the teams at the break but Liverpool still trail by three goals. There’s a big 45 minutes coming up as they must throw caution to the wind to get through.
Real Madrid 0-0 Liverpool (5-2 agg)
42 mins: Cody Gakpo is stood in an offside position as Real Madrid are forced back by Liverpool’s press. A passback from Toni Kroos hits him and the host are awarded a free kick.
Time is running out in the first half.
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