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Kylian Mbappé’s blistering form met another familiar setback at Anfield on Tuesday night, where Liverpool contained the Real Madrid forward with a discipline rarely seen from them this season to secure a 1-0 Champions League victory.

 

Mbappé, who arrived on Merseyside with 21 goals in 17 games, struggled to impose himself against a Liverpool defence that has often appeared vulnerable in recent weeks. The France international managed only three attempts, none on target, as Madrid laboured in the final third throughout the match. Coach Xabi Alonso admitted his side lacked sharpness upfront, saying, “We were lacking that threat in the final third.”

 

Liverpool’s winner came in the 61st minute, when Alexis Mac Allister headed in from close range, leaving Madrid, who had scored in every match this season, chasing an equaliser that never materialised. Even Vinícius Júnior, usually a livewire on the left, was kept largely peripheral.

 

Arne Slot, who has emphasised defensive organisation since taking charge, revealed that he had warned his players of Madrid’s attacking potency. “I told the players before the game they (Madrid) have scored 26 goals in La Liga and Kylian Mbappé and Vinicius have 24 goal contributions together,” he said. “I don't think you can ever control these two completely, but you can do a few things well.”

 

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Mbappé’s best chance came midway through the second half, when he received the ball inside the box, shaped to bend a shot into the top corner, and watched it drift well wide. It was a reminder of last season’s trip to Anfield, when he missed a penalty and Madrid went on to lose 2-0.

 

If Tuesday’s defeat did not offer the same personal humiliation, it nevertheless extended Mbappé’s poor run at one of Europe’s most intimidating venues. The Anfield crowd was in loud voice throughout, and the reception for former Liverpool defender Trent Alexander Arnold, greeted with jeers on his late introduction, only intensified the pressure on the visitors.

 

Madrid’s loss was just their second of the season, but it was also the first time they failed to score. “I think we competed well,” Alonso said. “What was lacking today was perhaps (the ability) to hurt them in the final third and be a real threat.”