Fantastic Real prove once again they are Champions League kings

Real Madrid came from behind to produce a ruthless performance, dismantling Liverpool 5-2 in their Champions League last-16 first leg encounter at Anfield.

The Reds now face a difficult job in the return leg if they are to make it out of the round.

Both teams met in the final of the competition last year, with the Spanish side emerging champions in Paris.

Uruguayan striker Darwin Núñez scored via a brilliant flick as Liverpool raced to an early lead before Mohamed Salah shocked the traveling fans when he converted to put his side 2-0 up in the 14th minute after Thibaut Courtois’ poor clearance.

ALSO READ: Champions League: Bayern record win in Paris; Tottenham walk tightrope after Milan loss

The two goals sent the Liverpool faithfuls into wild jubilation but their dream start turned into a complete nightmare as Real Madrid replied in astonishing fashion, netting five times without reply.

Brazilian winger Vinícius Júnior’s 21st minute strike reduced the deficit before his compatriot Alisson committed a costly error, allowing him net his (and Madrid’s) second of the night six minutes after the half hour mark.

The complexion of game changed with the two Madrid goals as the first period ended in a draw.

Los Blancos shot into the lead for the first time just two minutes after the break when Éder Militão directed home Luka Modrić’s free-kick.

The away team stamped their superiority and proved masters of the game once again when Karim Benzema’s shot deflected in off Joe Gomez. The striker added a fifth for Carlo Ancelotti’s men with a cool finish following a Modrić assist.

Real show the stuff they are truly made of

Liverpool shocked Real with their goals early in the first half but the team from the Spanish capital showcased a high level of discipline and ruthlessness to find their way back, and ultimately destroy Liverpool.

Poor defending was a major reason why Liverpool find themselves here. It was a generally bad defensive performance by the English team and they were not going to be spared by one of the most dangerous attacking sides in world football.

ALSO READ: The winners and losers of the 2022-23 UEFA Champions League draw

Militão was poorly marked when he headed home his goal while Gomez was unlucky to deflect in Benzema’s first goal.

You could easily tell Liverpool were already drained in confidence and looked unmotivated to even stage a comeback but Real’s spirits were also high and their players kept pushing further.

It will now take Jurgen Klopp’s men something really extraordinary for them to overturn the first leg outcome when they travel to Madrid.

The 2020 Champions League winners will need to be believe, focus and avoid unnecessary mistakes in the return fixture.

They will hope to turn things around like they did in the 2019 semi-final against Barcelona when they overturned a 3-0 first leg deficit, incredibly winning the return leg 4-0.