Real Madrid came from behind to ruthlessly tear Liverpool apart at Anfield enroute an emphatic 5-2 away win in their UEFA Champions League tie.
Liverpool now have a mountainous task to keep their Champions League ambitions alive after suffering humiliation despite going 2-0 up inside the first half.
Holders Real – in a repeat of last season’s final in Paris – became the first side to score five at Anfield in Europe.
Liverpool’s supporters, who loudly jeered the Champions League anthem, thought their team had gotten enough zest with goals that would provide the platform for a night of glory.
Instead, Anfield was reduced to near silence by the end as Jurgen Klopp’s side were reduced to chasing shadows in the face of Real’s imperious style and lethal threat in front of goal.
Liverpool did not help their cause with mistakes and dreadful defending, offering up invitations to a side of vast experience and world-class quality.
Vinicius, who was the catalyst in Paris, turned the game here by firing a shot cross past Alisson before closing down the keeper for Real’s second.
After that, Real were truly outstanding as they controlled possession, kept Liverpool at arm’s length with ease and put away those three second-half goals that put them in complete command of this tie.
Inspired by the two great veterans Modric and Benzema, Real have an iron belief that they will prevail and so it proved again.