3 hours ago
14
Xabi Alonso admitted that Real Madrid has a "bitter" taste in its mouth after it lost to Liverpool in the Champions League, with Alexis Mac Allister scoring the only goal of the game with a header.
Thibaut Courtois kept Real Madrid in the contest with a string of top saves before the Argentine finally beat him. And Alonso had to admit that his side couldn't create much, with Conor Bradley, in particular, impressing against Vinicius Jr.
"It was a demanding game, really fast-paced," Alonso said in his post-match press conference. "We competed well, but we lacked a real threat. The first half was fairly evenly matched, and the second was decided by small margins.
"We started giving away too many free-kicks and the odd corner. Courtois kept us in it there. The goal gave them the edge, and then we struggled a bit after that.
"I can't ask for any more from my team. We tried our best. It's the opening phase of the Champions League; we'll have the chance to recover those points, and we have to think about what's coming up."
Both Liverpool and Real Madrid should be confident of progressing into the knockout phase in Europe. For the Reds, though, this was another big step in the right direction after a tricky period.
Arne Slot said many times during his side's recent poor run that Liverpool needed to get back to having a positive set-piece goal difference, and that is what made the difference here.
"We have to learn that when they put the pressure on, which can happen when the crowd get up for it, we have to avoid giving away corners and free-kicks," Alonso said.
"We needed to create more opportunities. It was an intense game. We gave away a little bit too much at the start of the second half, we gifted them too many chances.
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
"It was avoidable. We should have been higher up, and they have great free-kick takers and finishers. They created a lot of chances because we gave away too many fouls.
"We leave with a bitter taste in our mouths with the defeat. We have to analyze it and start thinking about Rayo [Vallecano in La Liga on Sunday] tomorrow."
In the second half, Alonso sent on Trent Alexander-Arnold to raucous jeers. He replaced Arda Guler for the final minutes of the game.
"It was an intense game, typical of Anfield against two top sides," Alonso added. "[Alexander-Arnold] tried to show his qualities, his threat down the right-hand side. He's a mature and very professional guy."
English (US) ·