🔗 Share this article

Conor Bradley basked by the full force from Liverpool's faithful, while Trent Alexander-Arnold – the local boy who left Liverpool behind – was given a brutal and negative reaction about his diminished standing.

Bradley was earmarked to fill the void left after he announced his decision to exit Anfield to join Real Madrid, so once the fates paired both elite clubs face-to-face in Europe, all was ready.

And what a contrast with the Northern Irish Northern Ireland right-back became the emblem in a Liverpool performance which reminded everyone of their championship form as Real Madrid were swept aside.

Trent, beginning from the sidelines, throughout faced a clear message about the fans who once sang his former iconic role currently view him.

It was a day of unrelenting ill-feeling targeted at Alexander-Arnold, from his mural near Anfield being vandalised with the words "Adios El Rata" prior to kickoff and the stadium's fury provoked by what many the faithful view as disloyalty.

Bradley actually fuelled the rage and criticism aimed in Alexander-Arnold's direction through an outstanding performance which minimized the threat of Brazilian star to an observer, limited to dramatic actions – poor theatrics at that – against the youngster's physical dominance.

Each defensive challenge was cheered to the echo, all his balls welcomed with crowd support, vocals celebrating him passionately, not only for his performance plus an audible message for Alexander-Arnold announcing a fresh face at the club, establishing him as a figure from the past.

Bradley, unsurprisingly, even won the admiration of head coach Arne Slot.

Bradley performed exceptionally, stated the coach. Facing Vinicius in multiple direct confrontations proves challenging for most, but he handled it superbly.

Assuming the vandalized messages on Trent's public artwork did not make him aware about the reception awaiting, he was left in no doubt during his warm-up to warm-up as one of the Spanish squad's backups prior to the start, boos echoing through the stadium, the negative reception heard again as his name was read out.

And just when it looked he would miss the full-scale vitriol, the visiting team's manager sent him in as a second-half change during their comeback effort the Reds' margin, deservedly given to them Mac Allister's headed goal early in the second half.

Reception for the substitute appeared harsh, as were the mocking jeers that greeted a late cross which sailed harmlessly out of play.

Trent's disappointing appearance happened during supporters recalling individuals showing commitment despite temptations and opportunities to depart Liverpool, namely former captain Steven Gerrard, who watched on from the stands.

This match showcased Liverpool, Bradley's night – exactly the type of occasion the stadium loves with their ex-player's return served as additional motivation to turn up the volume.

The team, earlier inconsistent with six defeats in seven games until their recent victory last weekend, delivered a display which ranked among their finest this season, a timely reminder of the standard that helped them win the championship.

Slot appreciated the response to victory, saying: Winning matches proves more enjoyable compared to defeats for a coach. Defeats consume your complete attention as you intensely desire to change it, but you also try to be the same manager and person that you are when you are winning.

Solely the performance from the exceptional goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois that threatened denied the Reds what they merited, with a stunning individual performance that revived memories when he frustrated them in the previous final loss the continental decider in the French capital.

The goalkeeper delivered multiple of magnificent saves, including four from Dominik Szoboszlai plus an incredible reaction save against Van Dijk's aerial effort, until eventually he couldn't prevent from Mac Allister's headed goal from the Hungarian's free-kick.

The close scoreline barely represents their domination from first whistle to last, these important points elevating them to sixth in the Champions League table, a standing that will put them direct qualification avoiding the requirement of extra games if continued.

Szoboszlai and Mac Allister ruled the engine room, while Florian Wirtz provided creative flourishes during his German career. Hugo Ekitike was a constant menace across ninety minutes.

Liverpool were, unlike so often earlier shows, completely secure defensively while Mbappe became ineffective, producing a poor, mistake-filled performance. The Brazilian was defeated by Bradley long before the end.

Although representing a tough occasion for Trent, it was not much better for the English midfielder, presented with the Anfield platform to showcase once more his ability ahead of the national team manager selects his roster to face Serbia and Albania after being left out recently.

He provided one moment of danger during the opening period when he forced Giorgi Mamardashvili to make a leg stop, yet remained largely invisible {as Real failed to establish|