The biggest game of the season so far arrived at quite an awkward time for Real Madrid. Not only were they without key players such as Eden Hazard, Sergio Ramos, and Dani Carvajal due to injury – they now had to deal with the sudden withdrawal of Raphaël Varane earlier today after news of him falling ill with COVID-19.
Castilla defender Víctor Chust replaced him in the squad, but it was Éder Militão who was called upon to replace Varane in the starting line-up alongside Nacho. Lucas Vázquez was summoned to right-back, whilst the rest of the team remained standard. Liverpool had to deal with some forced changes of their own, which made the sides appear pretty even at first glance.
Defeat in the first leg. #RMALIV | #UCL
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) April 6, 2021
UEFA tweeted as well –
⏰ RESULTS ⏰
⚪️ Vinícius Júnior (2) & Asensio secure first-leg victory for Real Madrid
🔵 De Bruyne & Foden net as Manchester City claim late win the quarter-finals🤔 Which players impressed you?#UCL
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) April 6, 2021
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The Reds were largely second best throughout an entertaining game in Spain against a Real side missing its first-choice center-back pairing but packed with impressive attacking talent.
Much of the damage was done in the first half, begun when Vinicius Junior took down a brilliant long-range pass from Toni Kroos on his chest before firing the opener past Alisson.
Marco Asensio doubled the lead, taking advantage of a loose header from Trent Alexander-Arnold to chip the ball over Alisson and then tap into an empty net.
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Liverpool came out fighting after the break, pulling a goal back through Mohamed Salah’s close-range finish off the crossbar to spark their best 20-minute spell of the contest.
But they were stung when Vinicius Junior found the net via a first-time shot following a fine attacking move with 25 minutes to go.
It leaves them with a mountain to climb in the return leg at an empty Anfield on 14 April.
Liverpool will need to produce another huge European display at Anfield if they are to reach the last four of the Champions League after suffering a crushing quarter-final first-leg loss to Real Madrid.
