Trent Alexander-Arnold: How Connor Bradley helped Liverpool move forward

It was none other than the shadow of Real Madrid’s great goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois who threatened to prevent Liverpool from getting what they deserved, with a stunning individual performance that revived memories of how he defied them when Jurgen Klopp’s side lost the 2022 Champions League final in Paris.

The Belgian made a series of impressive saves, including four from Dominik Szoboszlai and a brilliant save from Virgil van Dijk’s header, before even being unable to stop McAllister’s header from the Hungarian’s free-kick.

Liverpool’s narrow margin of victory does not touch upon the aspects of their dominance from the first whistle to the end, as these three crucial points push them into sixth place in the Champions League table, a place that will put them in the last 16 without having to resort to a play-off if they are maintained.

Szoboszlai and McAllister dominated the midfield, while Florian Wirtz provided some of the precise touches that made his name at Bayer Leverkusen. Hugo Ekitiki was a constant threat.

Liverpool, unlike so often this season, were solid in defense as Kylian Mbappe was sidelined, putting in a horrific, error-strewn display. Vinicius was beaten by Bradley long before the end.

If it was a miserable night for Alexander-Arnold, it wasn’t much better for Jodi Bellingham, who took to the Anfield stage to provide a reminder of his class before England coach Thomas Tuchel named his line-up to face Serbia and Albania after being left out last time out.

He did pose one moment of danger in the first half when he forced Giorgi Mamardashvili into a save with his legs, but he was unheralded as Real failed to establish any kind of smothering control.

Bellingham conceded the free-kick in a dangerous position that led to Mac Allister’s goal, and offered little as Real attempted to claw their way back into the contest, although they were not alone there.

He offered words of sympathy for Alexander-Arnold: “It’s obviously one of those things in football. Being booed by fans is not a reflection of how they feel about him.”

“I think it’s about giving their team the edge and getting rid of him a little bit. I’m sure they appreciate what he’s done for the club.”

Alexander-Arnold, once an Anfield idol, may not be able to wait to return to his new home in Madrid, as life at Liverpool suddenly looks brighter ahead of Sunday’s clash with Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.