Antonio Rudiger and Karim Benzema have posted on Instagram after helping Real Madrid secure a 1-0 win in the second leg of their Champions League tie with Liverpool – a clash which they won emphatically, 6-2 on aggregate.
In the first leg at Anfield, Carlo Ancelotti’s side came from two goals down to go on and win 5-2. Darwin Nunez and Mo Salah had netted for the Reds – only for Madrid to respond. Karim Benzema and Vinicius Jr got a brace each.
Eder Militao also notched. On Wednesday night at the Santiago Bernabeu, there was only one goal to decide it on the night – Benzema tapped into an empty net after good work from Vinicius. Liverpool were flat, lacking belief in Madrid.
So, pre-match hopes of a miraculous recovery in which the Reds would need to win by three goals did not occur. Madrid eased into the quarters, leaving Liverpool to focus on the League. Benzema and Rudiger took to Instagram.
Rudiger and Benzema post as Real Madrid win 1-0 against Liverpool
It was a confident performance from a side that knew they were three goals to the good. Liverpool were lacking in the middle of the park – Stefan Bajcetic, Thiago and Jordan Henderson all missing. James Milner lined up with Fabinho.
Indeed, the duo earned criticism from Chris Sutton for their “poor” distribution. But a veteran of 37 years old, and a player in Fabinho that is alarmingly lacking in form, were never going to be any match for Luka Modric and Toni Kroos.
Liverpool were never going to over turn the first-leg loss. A brutal defeat at Anfield – the place Liverpool so often play well in Europe. Now, though, they are able to focus on the League and challenge for a place in the top four come May.
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