Mac Allister sinks Real Madrid to ruin Alexander-Arnold’s return to Liverpool

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The Liverpool of Arne Slot’s title-winning debut season was the answer and, for the second November in succession, Real Madrid did not have one of their own.Alexis Mac Allister opened the scoring in last season’s 2-0 defeat of the Spanish giants – though giant is not an accurate description of their latest performance on Merseyside – and settled the reunion of the European heavyweights as Liverpool, all controlled aggression and clear intent, ignited their Champions League campaign and quite possibly their season. Another clean sheet and set-piece goal added to Slot’s satisfaction on a raucous, reaffirming night at Anfield.

Alexander-Arnold was booed three times during the warmup – when first emerging back on to the pitch he once called home, when his name was announced among the Real substitutes and when heading back down the tunnel. Szoboszlai connected cleanly but Courtois spread himself superbly to save at point-blank range with his leg.Liverpool’s disbelief turned to disgust when Szoboszlai next took aim at the Real goal.

Szoboszlai was denied twice by Real’s number one before the break, Mac Allister was foiled too, and Courtois’ one-man stand against Liverpool continued after the restart. Szoboszlai swept over a powerful set-piece from the right – Alexander-Arnold might have taken it had he stayed – and Mac Allister broke free in a crowded area to bullet a header through the goalkeeper’s guard.