Liverpool beat Real Madrid in the Champions League, ending Madrid’s perfect start as Mac Allister’s header seals a vital 1-0 win at Anfield

Liverpool beat Real Madrid in Champions League action on Tuesday night with a powerful 1-0 victory at Anfield, ending the Spanish giants’ perfect start to the campaign and reigniting their own European ambitions.

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Alexis Mac Allister’s towering header proved decisive, while Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois produced a string of remarkable saves to prevent a heavier defeat.

After a miserable spell that saw Liverpool lose six of their last eight matches in all competitions, this was a night that brought relief and renewed belief for Arne Slot’s side. Both clubs now sit level on nine points after four games in the league phase.

Slot made just one change from the weekend win over Aston Villa, restoring Florian Wirtz in place of Cody Gakpo, and the Reds looked far more like the ruthless team that stormed to the Premier League title just a few seasons ago.

Real Madrid, led by former Liverpool favourite Xabi Alonso, came into the clash with only two defeats in 20 games but were second best for most of the night.

Courtois, once again, was their saviour just as he had been in the 2022 Champions League final when Madrid triumphed 1-0 in Paris.

The Belgian keeper denied Dominik Szoboszlai twice in the first half, while a VAR check spared Madrid a penalty after Aurelien Tchouameni handled the ball inside the area.

Liverpool’s pressing and energy were relentless. Courtois kept out strong headers from Virgil van Dijk and Hugo Ekitike early in the second half before finally being beaten on the hour mark.

Szoboszlai’s pinpoint free-kick found Mac Allister, whose bullet header rippled the net and sent Anfield into raptures.

Real’s attack, led by Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior, was kept unusually quiet. Mbappe, who had scored in 15 of his last 17 appearances, missed Madrid’s best chance when he dragged a shot wide from the edge of the area.

The return of Trent Alexander-Arnold, making his first appearance since mid-September, added an emotional note to the night.

The right-back was greeted by a hostile reaction from visiting fans following the vandalism of his mural earlier in the day, but the home crowd rose to his support.

Courtois denied Gakpo late on, but Liverpool’s much-criticised defence held firm to record their first Champions League clean sheet of the season.

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The win may yet prove a turning point in Liverpool’s campaign a reminder that, under the Anfield lights, they remain one of Europe’s most formidable sides.