Liverpool revival continues vs. Madrid in Champions League

LIVERPOOL, England — Alexis Mac Allister scored the winning goal as Liverpool’s revival continued with a 1-0 victory over Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League.Liverpool thought they had earned a penalty in the first half when referee Istvan Kovacs judged Aurélien Tchouaméni to have handled the ball, but VAR ruled the midfielder’s arms were in a natural position.Jude Bellingham saw his near-post effort saved by Liverpool goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili on the stroke of halftime, and Thibaut Courtois made impressive first-half stops to deny both Dominik Szoboszlai and Mac Allister. Courtois made another stunning stop to keep out Virgil van Dijk early in the second half; however, the Belgium international was finally beaten when Mac Allister nodded home Szoboszlai’s free kick in the 61st minute.Much of the buildup to the game had been dominated by talk of Trent Alexander-Arnold’s return to Anfield, and the defender was jeered when he was introduced from the bench in the 78th minute. Kylian Mbappé came closest for the visitors in the second half, with his stabbed effort drifting wide of the post. But Liverpool held out to secure a win that moves them up to sixth in the Champions League table. — Beth LindopWhat a difference a week can make. Only six days ago, Liverpool’s season was on the brink after a rotten run of six defeats in seven games. They had crashed out of the Carabao Cup at the hands of Crystal Palace, with their hopes of defending their Premier League title growing bleaker with every passing matchday.Fast-forward to now, and the picture at Anfield looks vastly different. After bouncing back in the league with a 2-0 win over Aston Villa, Liverpool turned in their most impressive display of the season against Madrid.- Report: Mac Allister heads Liverpool to win over Real Madrid – Trent Alexander-Arnold pens heartbreaking note to Diogo JotaAlonso had spoken before the game about Anfield’s unique atmosphere: “The moments when the stadium roars, and creates a positive energy for Liverpool.” Here, Madrid felt it but didn’t rise to the occasion; instead, they played within themselves. They created only one big chance, for Bellingham before halftime. Otherwise, there was minimal threat, and for a team that contains Bellingham, Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior, that’s a major disappointment.Picking an extra midfielder in Eduardo Camavinga didn’t help, and Alonso’s substitutions — introducing Rodrygo, Alexander-Arnold and Brahim Díaz — didn’t change anything. Alonso insists that his Madrid are still a team under construction, in the early stages of a process, and a long way from the finished article. This display, against a top team — despite Liverpool’s recent Premier League struggles — reinforces that idea. If Madrid are to make an impression in Europe this season, they’ll have to improve, fast. — Alex Kirkland