Liverpool’s top three performers from historic win over Real Madrid

Arne Slot’s Liverpool may just be onto something special this season, and their incredible run of form has not slowed down after defeating reigning European Champions Real Madrid 2-0 at Anfield.

With some surprise moments such as Mo Salah’s penalty shank and Connor Bradley’s coming out party on the Champions League stage, let’s dive into the top three performances from the instantly famous Liverpool victory.

Honorable Mention: Darwin Núñez

The agent of chaos lived up to his name yet again tonight, as Núñez found himself heavily involved amidst the action in Real Madrid’s final third during the first 45 minutes.

He produced Liverpool’s first two shots on goal, the first of which was half a meter away from crossing the goal line after Real almost put in the rebound themselves.

His skills on the ball look like they are continuing to improve, as he gave Jude Bellingham a taste of his own medicine, making a lovely turn in space on Liverpool’s former transfer target.

The Uruguayan’s usual antics, this time against Marco Asensio, were a bit reckless, which resulted in a deserved reciprocal yellow card for the pair, but his aggressiveness and passion were clearly on display. Subbed off in the 66th minute for Cody Gakpo after a quiet start to the second half.

3: Caoimhin Kelleher

Some clean sheets are easier to obtain than others, and while Kelleher only needed to make stops against three shots on target, the Irishman provided the biggest moment of the second half by stonewalling Kylian Mbappe's penalty attempt.

Only up 1-0 against a team known to storm back in games, Andrew Robertson surrendered a penalty for the second game in a row in the 61st minute, and everyone watching the game knew who would line up for Madrid to take the penalty.

Mbappé, whose career conversion rate from the spot for club and country hovered around a very reliable 80% before tonight, must have thought he had the game equalized during his run-up–but Kelleher had other ideas.

Once the ball left Mbappé’s foot, Kelleher lunged to his left, the opposite direction of his penalty save vs Southampton, and the rebound scurried outside of the box to preserve Liverpool’s advantage.

This is now the third penalty in a row Kelleher has saved–one during international duty for Ireland against Finland, another against Southampton before unluckily having the rebound fall right back to the feet of Adam Armstrong, and now tonight against a player who is universally considered as one of the best in the world.

Not much else was needed from him, but to make such a save to keep an ever dangerous side out of the game is yet another reminder of how lucky the Reds are to have Kelleher tending Alisson’s goal while he remains injured.

2. Conor Bradley

If nothing else, Conor Bradley massively rose up to the challenge of marking Mbappé, one of the fastest players in the world, but he provided so much more than that– in his first ever Champions League start, no less.

In the 32nd minute, Mbappé came blazing down the wing with Bradley defending him, and the 21 year-old committed a perfectly executed tackle to swipe the ball away; if the timing was even a split second off, the nature of the challenge could have potentially resulted in a red card.

But that’s Conor Bradley–cool as you like, keeping generationally talented players at bay.

Bradley not only led Liverpool with a team high four total tackles, but the young Red displayed the deft offensive ability of his injured right back partner Trent-Alexander Arnold, heading a fine shot on target in the 50th minute, moments before providing a crucial assist on Alexis Mac Allister’s opening goal.

The Northern Irishman was also not afraid to take on multiple defenders at once, earning a joint team-leading three free kicks.

He was subbed off in the 87th minute as he picked up a minor knock after a sensational performance.

While Bradley has shown flashes of capability within the first team, this game felt reminiscent of Bradley’s electrifying performance against Chelsea last season, and if, God forbid, Liverpool were to see Trent Alexander-Arnold walk away from the club at this campaign’s conclusion, they may not have to fret too much with Bradley as his replacement.

1. Alexis Mac Allister

Liverpool must have been eager to sign the Argentine after his stellar 2022 World Cup, keen on him performing in massive games–and boy, has he.

After being Liverpool's best player against Manchester City at Anfield last season, Mac Allister has yet again proven to be a big game player.

Save for a needless yellow card which will now result in the Argentinian missing Liverpool’s next European match against Girona, on a night in which other Liverpool midfielders such as Ryan Gravenberch were not sharp, Alexis Mac Allister played brilliantly.

Mac Allister scored the deciding goal for Liverpool, firing a well-placed shot past Thibaut Courtois (who himself had a fantastic night despite the loss) in the 52nd minute.

His link up play with Bradley in the build-up to the goal was fantastic, immediately looking to fill unmarked space after playing a pass which he anticipated receiving back. 

This sort of instinct and awareness from a midfield player in an opponent’s box is not easy to come across, and Mac Allister made the most of his offensive prowess tonight.

He provided consistently good swerving passes from the midfield position, completing the second most successful crosses (5) on the team, only behind Andrew Robertson (7).

He was sound in possession, not being dispossessed of the ball once, and was central in restoring shape to Liverpool’s midfield when Real Madrid found themselves in good spells of play.

This night’s top three performers may be a wonky list as opposed to seeing the likes of Mo Salah and Virgil van Dijk towards the top, but the best clubs can rely on any of their players to win them games–and that’s what has happened tonight.