Liverpool vs Real Madrid, player ratings: Mohamed Salah wasteful as Thibaut Courtois stands tall
Liverpool are out of the Champions League after they were unable to overturn a 3-1 deficit against Real Madrid. Mike McGrath kept a close eye on the match and ran the rule over both sides.
Liverpool (4-3-3)
Alisson
Real were not interested in attacking at some stages of the first half so there was little to do. Good save to deny Vinicius in the second half. 6/10
Trent Alexander-Arnold
Superb attacking with exciting runs and producing crosses that were unfortunate not to find team-mates. Teed up Wijnaldum for a chance. 7/10
Nat Phillips
Looked like it would be a tough night marking Benzema but he looked more assured after a shaky start and did well with his use of the ball. 7/10
Ozan Kabak
His partnership with Phillips has the most minutes of any of Klopp’s centre-back pairings. He looked untroubled, particularly compared to the first leg. 6/10
Andy Robertson
Good runs forward to support attacks and get crosses in from the left flank. Could concentrate on attacking because he had the beating of Asensio. 7/10
James Milner
Big early challenge on Benzema to set the tone but his game was more than destroying. He got forward and his shot towards the top corner forced a good save. 7/10
Fabinho
Quietly effective and very tidy as he shifted the ball quickly to team-mates and positioned himself excellently. Could pull off a pass when needed too. 7/10
Gini Wijnaldum
All-action display from the Dutchman. One of his turns to set up a chance was outrageous. He brought energy to the midfield and missed a big first-half chance. 7/10
Mohamed Salah
Weak finish in the first two minutes when he was sent through but he was constantly asking questions of the Real defence with his dribbling. 7/10
Roberto Firmino
Guilty of poor final balls when he got into good areas but his work rate, chasing down Real defenders, then had effort after the break at near post. 6/10
Sadio Mane
Set up an early chance for Salah and looked like he had beating of Valverde on the left flank. Linked well with Robertson and was back on top form for the big stage. 7/10
Real Madrid (4-3-3)
Thibaut Courtois
Stayed big for the early save to deny Salah then tipped one over the bar when Milner tried his luck from long range. 7/10
Federico Valverde
Played out of position after Lucas Vazquez’s injury and was a weak area that Liverpool looked to exploit. Much more comfortable going forward. 5/10
Eder Militao
Took a heavy fall while defending a corner and could not prevent Liverpool creating chances as they chased victory. Bravely put his body on the line. 7/10
Nacho
Made some very good interceptions when the balls came over from wide areas, hacking clear and getting anything he could on the ball. 7/10
Ferland Mendy
Overwhelmed by Salah and Alexander-Arnold on his flank but started to get into the game in the second half with attacking runs. 5/10
Luka Modric
Hovered around the pitch trying to unlock Liverpool’s defence and set his team-mates away. Still looked a class act at 35 and shows no sign of fading. 7/10
Casemiro
All over the pitch doing the dirty work and breaking up play but also had a range of passing. Took revenge on Milner’s early challenge. 7/10
Toni Kroos
Had no time on the ball like the first leg when he was able to pick his passes and set up attacks. Had to think much quicker as red shirts swarmed around him. 5/10
Marco Asensio
Played out wide which stretched Liverpool’s defence but that did little to help his team when they did not have possession. Struggled to get into game. 5/10
Karim Benzema
Took a knock to his ankle in the second minute but was his team’s most threatening attacker and hit the post. Real’s most likely source to get an away goal. 6/10
Vinicius Junior
Could not get around Alexander-Arnold when he got on the ball and his runs without the ball went unrewarded. Liverpool learned lesson from the first leg when he scored twice. 5/10
