Firstly, well done tro Real Madrid. That was a first class performance by them. It wasn't just the technical skill on display, but the way the setup, worked to close down space and avenues for progression, the way they picked out weaknesses in Liverpool's formation (playing in behind the fullbacks and pinning them back, shutting down the midfield and limiting the options of the front three) and their decision-making was excellent. In fact, that was the difference for me, Liverpool looked so nervous, playing flat and square, making easy passes look difficult and giving away needless possession. They needed a top class performance and didn't give one, but credit to Madrid, they were ruthless and decisive.
So, where was the game lost? I think Klopp's gamble with Keita was the biggest issue, he was brought in to run at the Madrid backline, but ended up ceding space and control in the middle. So much damage was done in the first forty minutes that Klopp felt forced to act and sacrifice Keita (and let's be clear, he was not playing well anyway) and bring in Thiago. That actually changed the game for a while. If you want to see the class of Thiago, watch how he still plays his normal game against Madrid, even as others around him were intimidated. He had a huge impact and for 20 minutes and changed the flow of the game, culminating in an away goal. Then he got booked and the game just slipped away. However, 3-1 away is not the end of the tie (it just feels bad tonight). For one thing, I doubt RM will be as agressive at Anfield as they were tonight, crowd or no crowd. If they sit back and try to counter, it will give Liverpool a good chance to pick them off. 1 early goal and they have an entire game to get a winner. The away goal is huge and that backline is as ropey as Liverpools.
Tonight we saw the limitations of Phillips and Kabak. Raw, lacking pace, positionally unsure they were given a torrid time by RMs attacking unit. Then again, they are unlikely to meet players as good as that too often, so they might still have a role to play in the future. 4th and 5th choice CBs is no bad thing. If nothing else comes of this awful season only that it will be a decent outcome. Despite the poor performances of the entire backline, the bigger issue (and the one that exposed them the most) was the middle. Fabino had a tough time as he was overrun, Wijnaldum was industrious but ineffective and only Thiago came out of the game with credit in the bank. Again we enter the summer probably needing to recruit there again, albeit for the future and not medium/short term. Only up front did I feel liverpool did acceptably, lots of hard running and feeding off scraps. All three combined for the goal and Mane (big game player) was still running even after the needless booking.
On that, the ref clearly got the shoulder in the back wrong (god, macmamanamanamanan is a clown, he calls everything wrong), but other than that he was very fair. Madrid were just a lot smarter than Liverpool.
Tough night, fair result, but a precious away goal and a decent shout in the second leg if Liverpool can get past their stage nerves.
