Liverpool-Real Madrid: Reds' resurgence continues, Trent's unhappy return to Anfield

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Liverpool continued their impressive resurgence in the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League with a hard-fought 1-0 win over reigning champions Real Madrid at Anfield. The victory marked Liverpool’s second consecutive season defeat of Madrid in the competition, moving them up to sixth place in their group.

The match’s only goal came in the 61st minute when Alexis Mac Allister rose powerfully to head home a precise free-kick delivery from Dominik Szoboszlai, beating Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois despite his series of remarkable saves earlier in the game. Courtois was the standout performer for Madrid, denying multiple chances from Liverpool’s Szoboszlai, Mac Allister, and Virgil van Dijk, who was thwarted several times before Mac Allister finally scored.

Earlier in the first half, Liverpool believed they had earned a penalty when it seemed Aurélien Tchouaméni handled the ball in the area, but VAR overturned the decision, judging his arms were in a natural position. Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham came close to scoring with a near-post shot that Liverpool goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili saved sharply just before halftime.

The match was also notable for the tense atmosphere surrounding Trent Alexander-Arnold, who returned to Anfield for the first time as a Real Madrid player. The Liverpool fans jeered him when he was brought on as a substitute in the 78th minute, underscoring the emotional significance of his switch between the two clubs.

In the second half, Kylian Mbappé posed the biggest threat for Madrid, but his attempts drifted wide. Liverpool’s persistence and tactical organization saw them hold firm against the visitors’ attacks, securing a vital victory that underscores their ongoing revival in European competition under their current management.