Real Madrid take spoils from Liverpool’s pitch

By Peter Hall

LIVERPOOL, England, Feb 21 (Reuters) – Reigning Champions League champions Real Madrid came from two goals down to beat Liverpool 2-5 in the first leg of their European Champions League round of 16 tie.

Two goals from Vinícius Jr. and Karim Benzema turned what looked like an unpleasant evening for Real Madrid into a rout in style, knocking out Jürgen Klopp’s side and leaving them with a monumental task to reach the quarter-finals.

It was Liverpool’s heaviest home defeat in Champions League history, eclipsing the 3-0 defeat suffered by the same opponents in 2014.

In a repeat of last year’s final, the first half moved at a blistering pace, with the hosts taking the lead at 4 minutes thanks to a superb finish from Darwin Núñez, the fastest goal ever signed by Liverpool at Anfield in the Champions League. .

The stadium erupted 10 minutes later when a horrific control error by Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois allowed Mohamed Salah to score the second, making Egypt’s Liverpool Europe’s all-time top scorer .

However, just as they did on several occasions en route to their 14th European Cup last season, Real Madrid were quick to turn the tide, with a sublime goal from Vinícius and another on the spot. of luck following an error by the goalkeeper, to equalize the competition at half-time.

A header from Éder Militão completed Real Madrid’s comeback early in the second half, completely undermining the illusion of Anfield.

The hosts’ misfortune didn’t end there, however, as Benzema’s brace saw Liverpool concede five goals at home for only the third time this century in all competitions.

“The team had personality and goals. We want this Champions League and it was a very good match. We started a little badly, we know that Liverpool with their supporters will put a lot of pressure, but after the first 15 minutes we have already seen Real Madrid,” Benzema told Movistar Plus.

Jordan Henderson, Liverpool captain, told BT Sport: “It’s hard to sum up after the game.

“Mixed feelings. Frustration with the result. For a lot of the first half we played well and we weren’t lucky enough to be level at half time. We made too many mistakes Real Madrid punished us at all times tonight.”

(Reporting by Peter Hall; Editing in Spanish by Tomás Cobos)