Mansion Sports – Liverpool secured a vital 1-0 victory over Real Madrid in the League Phase of the UEFA Champions League, held at the iconic Anfield Stadium.

Alexis Mac Allister emerged as the match-winner for the Reds with his decisive goal, while Thibaut Courtois delivered an outstanding performance in goal despite being unable to prevent his side’s defeat.

This crucial win lifted Liverpool to sixth place in the league-phase standings with nine points — the same total as Real Madrid, who now sit one position above them in fifth.

Intense Pressure from the Opening Half

From the moment the whistle blew, Arne Slot’s men displayed confidence and control in front of their passionate supporters at Anfield.

The first major chance arrived in the 28th minute through Dominik Szoboszlai, who connected with a precise pass from Florian Wirtz. 

The Hungarian midfielder unleashed a powerful strike on target, but Courtois reacted superbly with a reflex save using his foot.

Just two minutes later, tension heightened when Szoboszlai’s shot struck the hand of Aurelien Tchouameni inside the penalty area. 

The incident went under VAR review, but the referee ultimately decided against awarding a penalty, ruling that there was no deliberate handball.

Liverpool continued to press aggressively, launching waves of attacks against Madrid’s defense. Courtois remained exceptional, denying two more dangerous efforts from Szoboszlai and Mac Allister toward the end of the first half, keeping the scoreline goalless heading into the break.

Mac Allister’s Decisive Goal and Madrid’s Failed Response

Liverpool’s persistence finally paid off in the 61st minute. Following a foul committed by Jude Bellingham, Mac Allister converted from a set-piece situation with a powerful header that left Courtois helpless. 

The goal broke the deadlock and sent Anfield into raptures as the home crowd erupted in celebration.

Real Madrid attempted to respond quickly and nearly equalized in the 75th minute through Kylian Mbappé, whose curling effort narrowly missed Giorgi Mamardashvili’s far post.

In an effort to shift momentum, coach Xabi Alonso introduced Trent Alexander-Arnold — now a Real Madrid player — to reinforce the attack. 

Despite the tactical changes, Los Blancos failed to find a breakthrough against Liverpool’s disciplined defense.

As the final whistle blew, the 1-0 scoreline stood firm. The result not only underlined Liverpool’s enduring strength at Anfield but also reaffirmed their ability to rise to the occasion in Europe’s elite competition.

Match Statistics: Liverpool vs Real Madrid

Liverpool’s narrow victory once again demonstrated the power of Anfield’s atmosphere and the tactical discipline instilled by Arne Slot, while Real Madrid were left to reflect on missed chances and a night where the home crowd made all the difference.