Liverpool took top spot in the Champions League table on Wednesday with a dominant 2-0 victory over holders Real Madrid thanks to goals from Alexis Mac Allister and Cody Gakpo.
Such was the Reds’ superiority that they could afford the luxury of a rare Mohamed Salah penalty miss in between goals as they claimed a fifth win from five games to sit two points clear at the head of the new-look league format.
John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
On a miserable night for the Spaniards, now 24th in the 36-team competition, Kylian Mbappé was well shackled and also missed a penalty that would have drawn Madrid level against the run of play in the second half.
With Liverpool dominating possession and chances, Mac Allister struck the opener in the 52nd minute after a neat one-two with Conor Bradley in front of a delirious Kop end at Anfield.
Gakpo sealed the game in the 76th minute with a header past Thibaut Courtois from an Andy Robertson cross.Â