Liverpool (4-1-3-2): Mignolet; Johnson, Skrtel, Lovren, Moreno; Gerrard; Allen, Coutinho, Henderson; Sterling, Balotelli.
Subs: Lallana/Balotelli ht, Can/Henderson 67, Markovic/Coutinho 67
Real Madrid (4-4-2): Casillas; Arbeloa, Varane, Pepe, Marcelo; Rodriguez, Kroos, Modric, Isco; Benzema, Ronaldo.
Subs: Khedira/Ronaldo 75, Illarramendi/Kroos 81, Nacho/Marcelo 85
Real Madrid trounced Liverpool at Anfield to win their maiden game against Liverpool. Cristiano Ronaldo continued his fine run of form as he opened the scoring for the visitors.
The game began with an electric atmosphere as the home fans were bursting with pride and joy. Liverpool started game brightly by pressing and closing the space for Real Madrid players. Raheem Sterling was lively as he troubled Pepe for a while. But all their good work came to cropper as red hot Cristiano Ronaldo opened the scoring and floodgates for the visitors. Isco’s delightful pass to Ronaldo went past the mis-kicking Skrtel and finished it with élan. A sublime finish nonetheless.
Simon Mignolet was the only thing between a rout and this respectable defeat as he made almost five to six crucial saves for Liverpool. But a quick
Karim Benzema brace killed the game even before the half time. Liverpool’s defense was split open by guile of Isco, electricity of Ronaldo, vision of Kroos and finishing of Benzema.
Liverpool brought on new boys Adam Lallana and Emre Can but they simply were unable to thwart this juggernaut. Real Madrid had a few golden opportunities but some lacklustre finishing saved Liverpool.
The defending champions look menacing and can be the first team to defend their crown if they keep going on this way.
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