Imagine the roar of Anfield turning into a symphony of redemption—Liverpool not only overcame Real Madrid in a nail-biting 1-0 Champions League triumph, but did so with a young star eclipsing a former hero's spotlight. And this is the part most people miss: in Trent Alexander-Arnold's emotional homecoming, it was Conor Bradley who stole the show, proving that the Reds' resurgence might just be built on fresh talent.
Published by Getty/GOAL on 04 Nov 2025 at 19:16-03:00, this match marked a pivotal moment for Jurgen Klopp's successors.
Liverpool clinched a decisive 1-0 victory over a confident Real Madrid squad at Anfield on Tuesday evening, courtesy of a crucial second-half strike from Alexis Mac Allister. Despite Trent Alexander-Arnold's return to the pitch drawing a range of reactions from the passionate Anfield faithful—some cheers, some boos when he entered the fray—the night belonged entirely to the home team's red jerseys.
The away side controlled much of the ball in the early going, yet it was Arne Slot's Liverpool who came tantalizingly close to breaking the deadlock first. Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois made a crucial intervention, extending a foot to block Dominik Szoboszlai's near-certain goal from point-blank range. Additionally, a VAR review for a suspected handball by Aurelien Tchouameni didn't result in a penalty, adding to the drama.
As the match wore on, Courtois remained a formidable barrier, denying Liverpool multiple times, while Real Madrid's Giorgi Mamardashvili faced little real danger. But around the hour mark, a powerful header from Mac Allister on Szoboszlai's precise cross finally pierced the deadlock.
Kylian Mbappe nearly restored parity in the dying moments with one of Madrid's scant opportunities, though his shot veered off target, and Liverpool deservedly held on for a morale-boosting win that could signal a strong season ahead.
Now, let's dive into GOAL's player ratings for Liverpool's Anfield performance...
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Goalkeeper & Defence
Giorgi Mamardashvili (6/10): The young Georgian custodian stood firm, producing a solid stop to thwart Jude Bellingham early on. Given the game's flow, one might have anticipated him being tested more frequently, but he handled what came his way competently.
Conor Bradley (9/10): But here's where it gets controversial—who needs Trent when Bradley's here? This rising talent faced the daunting challenge of matching wits with Vinicius Junior, and not only held his own but dominated, rendering the Brazilian star largely ineffective. Bradley even ventured forward proactively, adding an extra layer of attack to Liverpool's play—a performance that could spark debates about squad hierarchies and future leadership.
Ibrahima Konate (6/10): The defender appeared visibly uneasy when left isolated against Bellingham, though Real Madrid failed to capitalize on this potential vulnerability, keeping the scoreline intact.
Virgil van Dijk (7/10): This outing emphasized smart positioning and threat awareness over aggressive, physical defending. He contributed a few headed efforts from set pieces at the attacking end, showcasing his versatility.
Andrew Robertson (8/10): With four starts in the last five matches, Robertson has justified staying put despite the arrival of Milos Kerkez. He performed like his prime self, offering reliability and experience.
*
Midfield
Ryan Gravenberch (8/10): He tirelessly covered ground and plugged gaps in the midfield, providing a stable foundation that allowed teammates to express themselves creatively.
Alexis Mac Allister (9/10): Notching a goal against Madrid for the second consecutive season, he expertly directed Szoboszlai's pinpoint ball into the net with his head. His passing was sharp, and without the ball, he disrupted Madrid's central play effectively, making their build-up a real challenge.
Dominik Szoboszlai (9/10): The Hungarian maestro forced Courtois into a world-class save from close range but also displayed bravery by attempting shots from distance when options were limited. He was relentless in driving forward and orchestrating the play that led to Mac Allister's header.
*
*
Attack
Mohamed Salah (6/10): Largely subdued throughout, though a flash of his trademark skill nearly created a second goal for Cody Gakpo, highlighting those rare moments of brilliance.
Hugo Ekitike (5/10): Struggled to influence proceedings in open play, and as a No.9, he was tightly marked, making it a challenging evening for the Frenchman.
Florian Wirtz (6/10): Credit to him for his tireless work off the ball. While he hasn't consistently found his rhythm yet, there are encouraging glimpses of creativity that suggest Liverpool supporters might see more with time—think intricate dribbles or clever passes that could unlock defenses in future games.
*
Subs & Manager
Curtis Jones (6/10): Limited time on the pitch meant he adapted quickly to the pace, showing his readiness to contribute.
Cody Gakpo (6/10): In the final 11 minutes, he forced Courtois into another save, adding late pressure.
Milos Kerkez (N/A): He dived right into the action but required immediate medical attention, underscoring the intensity.
Federico Chiesa (N/A): Introduced at the 88-minute mark, offering fresh legs late on.
Arne Slot (8/10): Opting for just one change from the Aston Villa victory lineup—swapping Gakpo for Wirtz—Slot's strategy paid off. Building on back-to-back wins, this result might be the turning point to steady the ship for the rest of the campaign.
*
What do you think? Is Bradley's standout performance a sign of a changing of the guard at Liverpool, or was Alexander-Arnold's mixed reception just a one-off? Do you agree with the ratings, or should some players be graded higher—or lower? Share your thoughts in the comments—let's debate!
