In Madrid, a sluggish Liverpool team were eliminated from the Champions League without any miracle comeback.
Jurgen Klopp had fiercely pushed Liverpool fans to reserve their lodging for this season’s site by the Bosphorus but, in the last-16, they are out. This comes after the anguish and trauma of losing the Champions League final last year.
Goalkeeper and Defenders
Alisson (9.5/10)
The Brazilian’s performance would be as crucial as any heroics on the other end because Real Madrid were certain to have opportunities, and he was outstanding when called upon. He had excellent positioning as he came out to stop the shot with a powerful arm, making a terrific save from Vinicius Junior at close range.
Went on to make a different type of outstanding save, deflecting Eduardo Camavinga’s deflected long shot onto the bar with a fingertip. made a strong foot stop from Fede Valverde, whose mishit effort frequently managed to beat the goalkeeper and another strong block from Vinicius at the near post.
Alexander-Arnold (6/10)
It is impossible to defend against Vinicius, and Trent had difficulties as was expected. He continued to be a source of assault, and it was presumably decided that it was pointless to concentrate too much on Vinicius since even if you got back, he would take it around the majority of defenders.
Trent frequently operated on the right side of the final third, sending crosses, one of which was a good opportunity for Gakpo to head wide, so that task was left to the assisting Konate. Trent would have had statistics for overhit passes that were unmatched. Also, bad set pieces.
Ibrahima Konate (8/10)
In a match like that, a crucial player supporting Trent against one of the top dribblers in the world. The majority of the time, Vinicius’s advance was stopped at Konate, and the winger’s greatest opportunity came from a more opportunistic attempt on the other side. At the moment, Konate is Liverpool’s top central defender and he played consistently well under pressure.
Van Dijk (4/10)
Many aerial duels were won, and some good passes were made out from the back. When forced to cope with a situation, he failed to do so, failing to clear after having two chances to do so, and Madrid scored as a result.
Robertson (6/10)
Was less active than Trent on the opposite side, and switching the full-backs may have been fascinating, but Klopp is against such experimentation. Another player who didn’t appear to be as dangerous as he can be in the last third due to a lack of composure.
Midfielders
Fabinho (5/10)
His attacking passing wasn’t particularly excellent; he frequently overhit passes that, had he been more deliberate, may have helped the squad. Has somewhat found his form again, especially defensively, but as one of two deeper midfielders in Madrid, he didn’t contribute enough while the ball was in control.
Milner (6/10)
Did a respectable enough job and has displayed more utility at the position than other players who have sometimes played there this season. Obeyed the instructions given the circumstances.
Gakpo (6.5/10)
Was asked to play the offensive midfield position that Elliott has played frequently this season in the midfield three. His most remarkable performances, though, were in defense, including a challenge on Benzema during a Real counter and a block on Vinicius in the second half. He was occasionally ahead of Salah and other times wider than Trent.
Sent a glancing header beyond of the far post and watched Courtois comfortably stop a well-hit attempt. Once Nunez departed, he moved to the left flank and didn’t do much from there, although there wasn’t much support.
Forwards
Salah (6/10)
Made several excellent runs and appeared to be able to position himself to create opportunities, even if most of the time, shooting was done by others. Nevertheless, he underwent a ball to Nunez when he had the chance to set up Liverpool’s best opportunity. He was never really a danger in the Madrid goal due to a few such bad deliveries.
Jota (4.5/10)
Off the ball, put in a normal hard performance, but lacked the dynamism to help the assault. Salah had set him up, but he mishit a half-chance with a tricky technique. Although he still has work to do to return to his best, the 57 minutes should have helped him.
Nunez (6.5/10)
Although playing from the left, the guy let off a few shots in the first half and was the most skilled on the squad. The most dangerous offensive player for the Reds as usual.
The Uruguayan had a few reckless moments, made a few sloppy passes, and committed some unnecessary fouls. Before the hour mark, he was replaced as Klopp tried something new. Presumably, that new thing was having no offensive threat.
Substitutions
Firmino (6/10)
Excellent on defense and had creativity in attack when others hadn’t, particularly with one great backheel to Salah that led to an excellent opening.
Elliott (6.5/10)
Theoretically, he fits in perfectly at any level, and that was true even on this stage, but he was unable to contribute to this game from the bench. had a fantastic opportunity to shoot but feed Robertson instead, who was in a worse position.
