Mac Allister header earns Liverpool hard-fought win over Real Madrid at Anfield
Alexis Mac Allister’s first-half header proved decisive as Liverpool edged Real Madrid 1-0 at Anfield in a tense UEFA Champions League encounter, giving Arne Slot’s side a valuable victory in the league phase.
The build-up to the clash was filled with storylines, including the return of Trent Alexander-Arnold to Merseyside. The defender began the night on the bench, watching as Liverpool started brightly. Mac Allister went close early, firing over the bar, before Thibaut Courtois produced a brilliant save to deny Dominik Szoboszlai after fine work from Florian Wirtz.
The first flashpoint came just after the half-hour mark when referee Istvan Kovacs initially awarded Liverpool a free-kick on the edge of the box for a suspected handball by Aurélien Tchouaméni. VAR intervened and the decision was overturned, to the frustration of the Anfield crowd. Undeterred, Liverpool continued to press, with Szoboszlai forcing another save from Courtois and Jude Bellingham testing Jan Oblak at the other end before the break.
Liverpool came out firing in the second half, dominating possession and creating chance after chance. Courtois was outstanding, producing two reflex saves to keep out headers from Virgil van Dijk and Hugo Ekitike, before Ekitike went close again moments later. The breakthrough finally arrived on the hour mark when Szoboszlai’s precise free-kick found Mac Allister, who rose highest to power a header past Courtois and send Anfield into raptures.
It was Mac Allister’s third Champions League goal and his second in consecutive seasons against Real Madrid, a neat slice of déjà vu for the Argentine midfielder. Alexander-Arnold entered the fray in the 81st minute to a mixed reception from the home fans, replacing Arda Güler as Slot looked to see out the result.
Courtois continued to keep Madrid alive with another sharp save to deny Cody Gakpo late on, but Liverpool’s energy and discipline saw them over the line. The result marks the Reds’ first run of back-to-back wins since their seven-match streak ended with defeat to Crystal Palace in September, and could prove vital in the push for qualification from the group.
For Real Madrid, it was another frustrating night on English soil. Xabi Alonso’s side have now managed just two victories in their last ten matches against Premier League opposition (three draws, five defeats), and despite Courtois’ heroics, they had little answer to Liverpool’s intensity.
