Liverpool Vs Real Madrid [1-0] UCL 2025/2026

Liverpool vs Real Madrid has become something of a modern UEFA Champions League rivalry to look forward to.

Real Madrid have always seemed to have Liverpool’s number, inflicting some famous and painful losses.

The animosity stems from the infamous 2018 Champions League Final, in which Mohamed Salah was injured by Sergio Ramos, and Real Madrid went on to win the Champions League, completing an unprecedented three-peat.

Further fuel to the fire was added when Real Madrid once again usurped Liverpool in the 2022 Champions League Final and pinched one of Liverpool’s best academy talents in Trent-Alexander Arnold this past summer.

Lately, though, Liverpool have got the better of Los Blancos as they overpowered them last season in a gloriously chaotic match, winning 2-0 with Anfield roaring behind them.

Ahead of this weeks clash, Arne Slot was under huge pressure after a string of losses, but he successfully outsmarted Xabi Alonso as the Reds overwhelmed and thoroughly beat the La Liga giants.

Be it through their pressing, the restoration of the Dominic Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister, and Ryan Gravenberch midfield trifecta, or Real Madrid’s lack of penetration, Liverpool were the better team, earning a decisive win and lifting the pressure off Slot.

In this tactical analysis, we will examine the key factors that led to Liverpool being the deserved winners.

Liverpool High Press On The Wings

The manner in which Liverpool’s press smothered Real Madrid and forced turnovers for Liverpool is a lot more complex than just pressing high on the flanks.

Real Madrid’s options to progress the ball were severely limited.

This is largely because when Real Madrid had the ball wide or broke down a Liverpool attack deep in their own half, Liverpool were encouraged to press them high up the pitch.

It’s something they are more inclined to do at Anfield, but the danger and effectiveness come from specifically smothering Madrid into one corner of the pitch.

Normally, if teams press high, they press teams when they have the ball in defence, but squeezing a team in one corner gives them next to no options to get the ball out.

Take this example, early on in the ninth minute, where Dean Huijsen tackled Florian Wirtz.

However, the Germans’ persistence in winning the ball back, backed up by three Liverpool players in one zone of the pitch, gives Huijsen two options: kick the ball down the byline or out of play.

Neither ends up happening.