Real Madrid left Liverpool needing another special European night at Anfield after Vinicius Junior’s double helped them beat the Premier League champions 3-1 in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final.
After a sluggish start from Jurgen Klopp’s team, Vinicius Junior capitalised to convert Toni Kroos’ exquisite long pass to give Real Madrid a deserved 27th-minute lead.
Liverpool’s night got even worse when Trent Alexander-Arnold’s poor header gifted Real Madrid a second, Marcos Asensio lifting the ball over Alisson Becker and into the back of the net 11 minutes before the interval.
Klopp reacted just before half-time, hauling off Naby Keita and bringing on Thiago Alcantara, and they started the second half in much better fashion.
They were rewarded with a precious away goal though Mohamed Salah in the 51st minute, but Real had a response of their own as Vincius (65) struck his second of the night to restore Real’s two-goal advantage and leave Liverpool with plenty of work to do ahead of next week’s second leg.
More to follow…
What’s next?
Saturday 10th April 2:30pm
Kick off 3:00pm
Klopp’s side are back in action on Saturday when they host Aston Villa at Anfield, live on Sky Sports Premier League (kick-off 3pm) before the second leg next Wednesday against Real Madrid. The Spanish side face a big La Liga clash before the second leg when they host Barcelona in El Clasico on Saturday; kick-off 8pm.
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