22 February 2023 , 13:02
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Liverpool’s Champions League hopes are all but over after they were thrashed 5-2 by Real Madrid in the first leg of their last-16 tie.
It was a repeat of last season’s final which was narrowly won by the Spanish giants. However, despite the Reds establishing an early two-goal lead, the chasm between the two sides quickly became apparent.
Los Blancos had erased Liverpool ’s advantage before half-time and left Anfield shell-shocked with three further goals after the break. It’s a defeat which leaves Jurgen Klopp’s side needing a miracle in Madrid next month.
Virgil van Dijk admitted the home dressing room was an angry and disappointed place after the full-time whistle. And that mood won’t have been lifted by Europe’s review of their humbling home defeat.
are infamous for their brutal player ratings, having only ever given out 10/10 on 14 occasions. Needless to say, Liverpool’s flops didn’t increase that number, with the publication pulling no punches with their verdict.
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Joe Gomez was put through the ringer by Vinicius Jr and Co. and was unsurprisingly given the lowest score of any player - registering just a two out of 10. On Gomez's showing, L’Equipe said: “Jurgen Klopp will undoubtedly regret having established him in place of [Joel] Matip. Because the English defender, who was very feverish in defence, was involved in all the goals conceded.
“He is too easily erased by Vinicius Jr for the first, he puts Alisson Becker in difficulty with his back-pass on the second, he causes the free-kick which results in the third, he deflects the ball on the fourth and is very apathetic on the fifth. Klopp ended his nightmare by replacing him with Joel Matip in the 73rd minute.”
Joe Gomez failed to deal with Real Madrid's brilliant Brazilian Vinicius Jr.And though Gomez was the lowest rated, his team-mates didn’t fare too much better. Alisson was given just a three after his gaffe helped Madrid draw level.
“He commits a serious blunder, by making a recovery on Vinicius which allows Real to equalise at 2-2, at a time when Liverpool gave the impression of managing the match,” the publication said.
“Apart from a splendid save on a curled shot from the Brazilian winger in the first half, the Reds goalkeeper failed to be decisive during this shock - proving to be totally helpless on the three goals conceded by his team in the second half.”
Liverpool vs Real Madrid's player ratings from L'EquipeVan Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Andy Robertson, Fabinho and Gakpo were all scored as a four , with Dariwn Nunez and Jordan Henderson given a five. Mohamed Salah was the standout Liverpool player according to L’Equipe’s ratings, with his first-half goal earning him a six out of 10.
It was a different story for the victorious Madrid players, with Camavinga’s five the lowest of any outfield player. Vinicius earned a nine , Karim Benzema an eight , while the irrepressible Luka Modric received a seven. Thibaut Courtois was the most harshly judged visiting player, with his error ensuring he was only given a three.
L’Equipe felt the battle in the dugouts was similarly one-sided, handing Jurgen Klopp a rating of just 3/10, compared to his opposite number Carlo Ancelotti who was graded as seven.
Liverpool’s full ratings by L’Equipe: Alisson, 3 ; Alexander-Arnold, 4 , Gomez, 2 , Van Dijk, 4 , Robertson, 4 ; Fabinho, 4 , Henderson, 5 , Bajcetic, 4 ; Salah, 6 , Nunez, 5 , Gakpo, 4 .