Liverpool exact revenge on Real Madrid to reach Champions League knockout stage

Liverpool maintained their perfect record with a 2-0 victory over title holders Real Madrid in the Champions League on Wednesday, becoming the first team to reach the last 16. Meanwhile, Madrid dropped to 24th in the table after suffering their third defeat in five matches. 

Alexis Mac Allister and Cody Gakpo's second half goals gave Arne Slot his 17th win in 19 games since taking charge of the Reds. Mac Allister broke the deadlock in the 52nd minute, and Gakpo headed home in the 76th from Andrew Robertson's cross. Mohamed Salah also fired wide from the spot, but it mattered little in comparison to Kylian Mbappe's agonizing penalty miss earlier on the match.

The French international had his chance in the 61st minute after Lucas Vazquez was fouled by Robertson. But a troubled Mabppe saw his shot saved by Caoimhin Kelleher who excelled in the absence of in injured Alisson Becker. 

Liverpool return to the top of the table with 15 points. The injury-hit Madrid, who journeyed to Anfield without Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo, Dani Carvajal, Eder Militao, Aurelien Tchouameni and David Alaba, moved down to one place above relegation. Only the top 24 teams progress to the knockout stage and the top eight directly enter the last 16. 

"You know how special it is to play against a club that won this Champions League so many times, are the reigning champions and were a pain in the ass for Liverpool many times as well," said Slot, referring to the head-to-head record Madrid being unbeaten in their eight previous meetings, including two Champions League finals in 2018 and 2022.