Liverpool kicked their season into life with a brilliant 1-0 win over Real Madrid at Anfield.Liverpool 1-0 Real MadridChampions League League Phase (4) | AnfieldNovember 4, 2025Goals: Mac Allister 61′Giorgi Marmardashvili – 8 (out of 10)After a lightning-quick start at Anfield, it was Courtious who was the busier of the two goalkeepers. But that doesn’t mean there wasn’t work for Marmardashvili to get his teeth stuck into.In fact, the Georgian international was called into action late in the first half and made two brilliant saves to deny Jude Bellingham and Arda Guler towards the end of the first half.Despite rarely being called into action in the second half, the 1-0 victory ensured the former Valencia man won’t forget his first Champions League outing at Anfield.WordsConor Bradley – 9 (Man of the Match)If all of the talk heading into this clash centred around a former Liverpool right-back, then this sensational performance from Conor Bradley ensured it was the Reds’ current No.12 that would be the talk of the town afterwards.The Northern Ireland international produced his best performance of the season, and easily one of his best in a Liverpool shirt, as he Vinicius Jnr shackled up on Merseyside.Bradley, though, wasn’t just part of the Reds’ defence that ensured a first Champions League clean sheet of the season; he was also instrumental in attack, striding into the final third with power and purpose at every opportunity.The defender’s confidence was encapsulated midway through the second half when he broke free of Vinicius Jnr to intercept a diaginal on his chest, before checking inside to evade a challenge from Kylian Mbappe.There’s only one Conor Bradley, alright!Ibrahima Konate – 8Real didn’t ask too many questions of Liverpool’s defence, but when they did, Konate and Van Dijk made sure they had the answers.After a rocky start to the season, the Frenchman is now back and ready to build on his rock-solid partnership with Van Dijk.Virgil van Dijk – 9Solid as a rock. The Liverpool skipper was at the heart of a commanding defensive display and ensured Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Jnr and Jude Bellingham were made to live off scraps on Merseyside.Much like Konate, it has been a difficult couple of weeks for Van Dijk, but this performance proves he is still able to prevail against the stars of the game.Andy Robertson – 8Oh, Andy, Andy!The Scotsman has had to be patient for opportunities this season after the signing of Milos Kerkez.But after back-to-back wins against Aston Villa and Real Madrid saw the 31-year-old roll back the clock, it is hard to argue against his permanent inclusion in Slot’s side going forward.Kerkez is clearly the future at Anfield, but Robertson feels like the best option at present.Ryan Gravenberch – 8Cool, commanding, and makes playing in midfield look effortless.The Dutchman was a star performer against Real and relished the battle against Bellingham, Guler, and Tchouameni.If the Reds have big ambitions in the Premier League and Champions League this campaign, they have to ensure Gravenberch stays fit.There is quite simply no one else like him in the Reds’ squad.Alexis Mac Allister – 8Arne Slot’s call to revert to his tried and tested, Premier League-winning midfield may have worked against Aston Villa, but the real test was always to come against Real.Mac Allister, the match-winner, was essential to that, and showed signs that the player who took the Premier League by storm during his first two campaigns at Anfield is on the cusp of returning.He was the Reds’ midfield metronome throughout the night, and whatever he continues to lack in physical presence, he made up for on the ball.His header was a timely reward for an outstanding night’s work.Mohamed Salah – 8On his 200th appearance for the Reds at Anfield, Mohamed Salah made sure wound back the clock.The Egyptian may have struggled to recapture his form from last season in recent months, but he was never going to wave the white against the La Liga leaders at Anfield.Salah, at times, looked like the player of old and clearly relished the opportunity to school the inexperienced Alvaro Carreras.If the last few weeks have taught us anything, it is that familiar relationships, in the form of Szoboszlai and Bradley, are key to getting the best out of the Egyptian right now.Dominik Szoboszlai – 9What else is there left to say about Liverpool’s Mr Marvel, Dominik Szoboszlai?Once again, it was the Hungarian international’s industriousness, in both defence and attack, that built a platform for the Reds to beat Real for just the second time since 2009.But despite squandering on an opportunity to get on the score sheet like Steven Gerrard did against the Spaniards in March 2009, he produced a performance that Liverpool’s former No.8 would have been proud of, proving once again that he is the beating heart of Arne Slot’s side.It was only right that he was rewarded for such a performance with an assist when Mac Allister nodded past Courtious midway through the second half.Would have had a third goal in as many games if it hadn’t been for an exceptional block by Milatao.Florian Wirtz – 8Here we have it, Florian Wirtz has finally arrived at Anfield. And boy, can he play.The midfielder was impressive both in out and out possession, and in the first half created five chances for his team-mates – one of which should have been converted by Szoboszlai.Busy off the ball. Dipossessed Huijsen inside 10 minutes before Mac Allister fired over.Did brilliantly to square the ball to Szoboszlai on 28 minutes.Hugo Ekitike – 8Spent most of the first half on the periphery of the game, though his decision-making could have been better at times as Liverpool looked to break in numbers.But as his workload has been increased in recent weeks due to the absence of Aleksander Isak, this was an understandablly quiet night for the Frenchman.Liverpool will hope that he is fit and available for Sunday’s trip to the Etihad after taking a hefty challenge from Dean Huijsen.Overall Team Performance – 9 SubstitutesCurtis Jones (on for Alexis Mac Allister, 78′) – 6 –The Kop’s opportunity to pay homage to a local hero.Cody Gakpo (on for Hugo Ekitike, 78′) – 6 –Busy. Put himself about a nearly worked an opening for Salah late on.Miloes Kerkez (on for Andy Robertson, 88′) – N/aFederico Chiesa (on for Florian Wirtz, 88′) – N/a – Imagine the scenes if he had got on the end of that one-on-one with Courtios.Subs not used: Woodman, Misciur, Gomez, Endo, Ngumoha Arne Slot – 9After slumping to six defeats in seven games, the last week have required some big calls from Arne Slot.The Dutchman clearly had one eye on this week’s fixtures against Real Madrid and Manchester City when he fieidled a weakened team against Crystal Palace in the League Cup last week.However, his decision to rest practically all of his star men has paid off so far, with the Reds look revitalised in both of their recent Anfield outings.His decision to revent back to a title winnning midfield trio of Mac Allister, Szoboszlai and Gravenberch seems to have also been a key factor in the Reds’ overturning their recent slump.In defence, he opted for the know-how of Andy Robertson when it might have been tempting to persist with Kerkez. That was another call the Dutchman got right.A week is a long time in football, and Liverpool, now, look a team ready to take Tuesday night’s fight to the Etihad on Sunday.Words on Slot – team selection, decisions in-match, subs etc.