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Conor Bradley was driven by the full force from Liverpool's faithful, as Alexander-Arnold – the Scouser who left Liverpool behind – was given a brutal and negative reaction regarding his changed status.

The young defender was marked as Alexander-Arnold's heir apparent after his departure was confirmed to leave Liverpool towards the Spanish giants, so once the fates paired the two European superpowers together in the Champions League, the scene was prepared.

A dramatic comparison emerged with the Northern Irish Northern Ireland right-back emerged as the standout figure in a Liverpool performance evoking memories of their championship form as the Spanish side was defeated.

The substitute Alexander-Arnold on the bench, throughout faced in no doubt how the fans who once sang about 'the Scouser in our team' now regard him.

It was a day filled with persistent hostility aimed in Alexander-Arnold's direction, starting with his public artwork damaged displaying critical phrases before the game to the Anfield anger caused by behavior which Liverpool fans regard as his betrayal.

Bradley actually fuelled the anger and disdain aimed in Alexander-Arnold's direction via a superb showing which minimized the threat of opposing winger to a spectator, reduced to表演 – ineffective dramatics – in the face of Bradley's commanding presence.

Each defensive challenge was cheered to the echo, all his balls welcomed by positive reactions, vocals celebrating him enthusiastically, both for his display and as a clear signal to Alexander-Arnold that there was a new kid on the scene, that he was now firmly part of history.

Bradley, unsurprisingly, garnered praise of head coach Arne Slot.

The defender was magnificent, commented Slot. To be up against Vinicius in numerous individual duels is not for everyone, yet he excelled.

Assuming the vandalized messages on Trent's public artwork failed to warn him regarding the coming hostility, he was left in no doubt as he came out alongside the visiting team's reserves prior to the start, negative reactions filling the air, the critical response heard again as his name announced.

Just as it seemed like he might escape the complete hostility, Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso brought him on as a late replacement as they tried to level the home team's advantage, deservedly given to them by Alex Mac Allister's header during the 61st minute.

Reaction to Trent's entrance was savage, as were the mocking jeers after an errant pass that drifted aimlessly beyond the boundary.

The defender's brief, negative showing occurred alongside the crowd referencing of those who had stayed loyal through potential moves to exit the club, namely former captain Steven Gerrard, observing from the seats.

This was Liverpool's night, Conor's moment – a classic Anfield atmosphere as the presence of their former star served as additional motivation to turn up the volume.

And Liverpool, who had looked lost following poor results before Aston Villa were beaten in their previous match, delivered a display that was easily their best in recent months, a timely reminder of the quality that saw them stroll to the title.

Slot appreciated the response to winning ways, saying: It is nicer if you win games compared to defeats for a coach. If you lose, then it takes extensive focus since you desperately need to reverse the trend, but you also try to be the same manager and personality when you are winning.

It was only the shadow from the exceptional goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois that threatened to stop Liverpool getting what they merited, with a stunning individual performance evoking past matches when he frustrated them in the previous final loss the European showpiece at the Stade de France.

The goalkeeper delivered multiple outstanding stops, including four from Dominik Szoboszlai plus an incredible reaction save against Van Dijk's aerial effort, until eventually he couldn't prevent to stop Mac Allister's header after the midfielder's delivery.

The close scoreline hardly reflects their complete control throughout, these crucial three points moving them to sixth position in the Champions League table, a standing that will put them direct qualification eliminating the necessity to a play-off if maintained.

Szoboszlai with Mac Allister controlled the center of the park, with Wirtz contributing elegant moments from his Leverkusen days. The forward remained dangerous throughout the match.

Liverpool were, unlike so often earlier shows, completely secure defensively as the French star was neutralized, producing a poor, mistake-filled performance. Vinicius had been beaten by the defender early on.

If it was a miserable night for Alexander-Arnold, the situation proved similarly challenging for Bellingham, presented with the Anfield platform to deliver a reminder his quality before England head coach selects his roster to face Serbia and Albania after being left out recently.

Bellingham created a single threat in the first half making the goalkeeper save to make a leg stop, yet remained largely invisible {as Real failed to establish|