You come at the King... You best not
After 15 minutes, Anfield could scarcely believe what they were witnessing. An early Darwin Núñez flick, followed by an error Thibaut Courtois could barely fathom himself, had Liverpool 2-0 up over the European Champions Real Madrid. The side quickly becoming their arch nemesis in the Champions League looked as if they were folding under weight of it all. And perhaps that was when they made the first and most fatal mistake - they believed.
Sid Lowe recalled an Ernesto Valverde quote from just a few weeks prior, that ‘the moment when you think you’re closest to beating Real Madrid is the moment you’re closest to losing to them.’ El Txingurri put words to a feeling that is intrinsically present within all Spanish football fans - playing Real Madrid is an act of constant vigilance, not just on the pitch, but of your own mindset. That tiny bit of optimism, hope or relaxation is a gaping chasm for this Real Madrid.

An exasperated Jürgen Klopp, who has been knocked out of Europe in five of his last six campaigns by Spanish sides, wore a grimace after the match, back in the same situation again. “We gave them five goals,” Klopp moaned in pain, before saying that “if you learn nothing from a defeat, then it is just a defeat,” calling on his side to make the necessary changes for the second leg.
Before the match though, Klopp admitted that he had not watched last year’s Champions League final until the weekend, and the truth is, you could tell.
Those watching at the weekend could also have pointed him in the direction of Jagoba Arrasate’s Osasuna, who pressured Los Blancos in stages and spells, but knew when to retreat or foul. They were beaten, but caused Real Madrid many more problems - the difference was finishing.

Liverpool had joy early on in that pressure, and there is no doubt that this is a defence in desperate need of braces to tighten up the gaps. While watching the 2022 final back though, Klopp must have noticed that Luka Modric deliberately turns to face his own goal, attracting two pursuers, right before he slices through the midfield, starting the move for Vinícius Júnior’s winner.
If there is one thing that this incarnation of Real Madrid does better than anyone else, it is deal with pressure. In the mental sense, but also in terms of pressing, they move through an onslaught with so much ease that they actively seek that situation out.
“We were looking for a more open game,” Carlo Ancelotti reasoned with his inclusion of Rodrygo Goes, while Courtois was more direct - “We knew there would be space behind them.”
Real Madrid are yet to score five goals in a La Liga match this season, and have only scored four on three occasions (Celta Vigo, Real Mallorca and Elche). Los Franjiverdes, so often the unfortunate exception in statistics this season, were soundly beaten. Celta were one of very few sides to get involved in a slug-fest in week two, while Mallorca conceded twice late on after a valiant effort. The reality is, nobody else dares to play such an open game.
Further compounded by the fact that three of Real Madrid’s goals involved defenders allowing two yards of space in the box, there were numerous errors, that didn’t even need to come back in order to haunt them.
The result might be exaggerated, and so too the analysis, but it seems bizarre that Liverpool were so keen to get involved in the bout that they did. Knowing his side have their own demons to battle with against Real Madrid, on top of the supreme Champions League confidence of Los Blancos, Klopp asked his team to play an almost flawless game. Liverpool went punch for punch with the King, the champion with the knockout record like no other.
Real Madrid were excellent after Vinícius’ goal. It is becoming harder to argue against Ancelotti’s assessment that he is the ‘“the most decisive player in the world at the moment.” Eduardo Camavinga confirmed rumours he is ready to be trusted in any situation, and Modric and Karim Benzema added more highlights to their biopics. At no point did it feel like the two veterans had to move above second gear though.
They really didn’t have to. Real Madrid were presented with the game they wanted. The Omar-ism goes that ‘if you come at the King, you best not miss’, but as any La Liga side will tell you, actively going toe-to-toe with Real Madrid will leave you unconscious nine times out of ten.