Kylian Mbappe was made to look ordinary at Anfield as Liverpool continued their march towards the Champions League Round of 16 with a 2-0 win over Real Madrid in a match that saw Mbappe and Mohamed Salah each miss a penalty.
Liverpool created the clear goalscoring chances but somehow failed to convert, with Darwin Nunez seeing an effort ricochet off Asencio towards goal only for the young defender to clear off the line to prevent an own goal.
Thibaut Courtois saved from Nunez from point-blank range in the course of the first half, just as the Liverpool striker fired narrowly wide with Real Madrid’s keeper well beaten.
Following a goalless first half in England, Alexis Mac Allister got the Kop roaring when he opened the scoring with a well-taken strike seven minutes into the second half.
The midfielder took a Conor Bradley pass into the Real Madrid penalty area in his stride with the first touch before firing low past Courtois with his next touch.
Real Madrid had a golden chance to equalise from the penalty spot after Andy Robertson brought down substitute, Lucas Vazquez, only for Mbappe to see his spot kick saved by Caoimhin Kelleher just past the hour mark.
It was then Salah’s turn to miss from the spot with 20 minutes to go. The Egyptian, brought down by Ferland Mendy, sent Courtois the wrong way but saw his spot kick shave the outside of the post for a Madrid goal kick.
Liverpool would seal victory four minutes after Salah’s miss, though, thanks to Cody Gakpo. The Dutch attacker rose highest to meet Robertson’s cross with a powerful header to send Liverpool back to the top of the Champions League with a perfect record after five matches.