🔗 Share this article

Bradley experienced through the passionate backing of the home crowd's love, whereas Trent Alexander-Arnold – the local boy who departed the club – received a stark and hostile reminder about his diminished standing.

Bradley was earmarked as the natural successor from the moment the transfer was finalized to move on from the Reds for Real Madrid, as luck would have it both elite clubs competing in the tournament, all was ready.

A dramatic comparison emerged when the young full-back was the shining symbol of a Liverpool display which reminded everyone of their championship form while Real Madrid were overwhelmed.

Trent, beginning from the sidelines, throughout faced a clear message about the fans who once sang his local hero status now regard him.

This was an event marked by continuous negativity aimed in Alexander-Arnold's direction, from his mural near Anfield defaced displaying critical phrases ahead of the match to the Anfield anger sparked by actions that supporters consider as disloyalty.

Conor Bradley intensified the fury and scorn targeted at his predecessor with a magnificent display that reduced the formidable Vinicius Jr to a passenger, reduced to表演 – ineffective dramatics – in the face of the youngster's physical dominance.

All his interventions was cheered to the echo, all his balls welcomed with Anfield's approval, his name chanted passionately, both for his display and as a clear signal for Alexander-Arnold announcing a fresh face in town, that he was now firmly from a previous era.

Expectedly, Bradley, earned plaudits from manager Arne Slot.

The defender was magnificent, commented Slot. To be up against Vinicius in multiple direct confrontations is not for everyone, but he handled it superbly.

Assuming the vandalized messages on Alexander-Arnold's mural hadn't alerted him of what was awaiting him, there was unmistakable evidence when he trotted on to warm-up as one of the visiting team's reserves ahead of the game, boos echoing through the stadium, the negative reception occurring once more during was read out.

At the moment when he could avoid the full-scale vitriol, Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso brought him on as an 81st-minute substitute while attempting to equalize the home team's advantage, justly achieved through by Alex Mac Allister's header just after the hour.

Reaction to Trent's entrance proved brutal, plus sarcastic shouts following a poor delivery which sailed harmlessly out of play.

Alexander-Arnold's unhappy cameo was played out to the sound of Liverpool's fans reminding him players who remained faithful despite temptations and opportunities to depart Liverpool, namely former captain Steven Gerrard, present in the crowd.

This match showcased Liverpool, Bradley's night – the sort of night Anfield revels in with their ex-player's return became extra fuel to increase the intensity.

The team, earlier inconsistent after multiple losses before Aston Villa were beaten in their previous match, produced a showing that represented their peak during this campaign, a timely reminder regarding the level that enabled them win the championship.

The coach enjoyed the comeback to successful results, commenting: Winning matches proves more enjoyable compared to defeats for a coach. Losses demand extensive focus because you so badly want to change it, but you also try to be the same manager and character during successful periods.

Solely the performance of brilliant Real keeper Courtois who nearly to stop Liverpool getting their deserved result, via a remarkable showing evoking past matches of how he defied them during their defeat under Klopp the 2022 Champions League final in the French capital.

The Belgian made a string outstanding stops, preventing goals from the midfielder and an amazing instinctive block from Virgil van Dijk's header, until eventually he couldn't prevent from Mac Allister's headed goal from the Hungarian's free-kick.

Liverpool's narrow victory margin hardly reflects their complete control throughout, these important points moving them to sixth position in the European standings, a standing that will put them in the last 16 avoiding the requirement to a play-off if maintained.

Szoboszlai with Mac Allister controlled the engine room, while Florian Wirtz provided creative flourishes from his Leverkusen days. Hugo Ekitike was a constant menace during the game.

The Reds, contrasting with previous recent performances, extremely solid defensively as Kylian Mbappe was marginalised, delivering a dreadful, error-strewn display. The Brazilian was defeated by the defender early on.

If it was a miserable night for Alexander-Arnold, it was not much better for Bellingham, presented with the Anfield platform to showcase once more his quality before England head coach Thomas Tuchel names his squad to face Serbia and Albania after being left out recently.

Bellingham created a single threat in the first half making the goalkeeper save to make a leg stop, but offered little else {as Real failed to establish|