The superstars came out in force for Liverpool vs Real Madrid in what was one of the glamour ties of the Champions League so far. Indeed, the Anfield directors box was filled with big names to watch Arne Slot’s Reds rip apart the champions of Europe.
Liverpool triumphed 2-0 with goals from Alexis Mac Allister and Cody Gakpo, as Kylian Mbappe saw his penalty saved by Caoimhin Kelleher and Mohamed Salah also missed a spot-kick of his own on an eventful night.
The victory leaves the Reds top of the Champions League opening stage table with a perfect record from their five games so far. Carlo Ancelotti’s side are down in 24th, having lost three times already in the defence of their crown.
And there were a number of former players from each club in attendance. Lucas Leiva was joined by Sami Hyypia and Martin Skrtel in the stands as they returned to watched their old side. All three were in the squad for the 4-0 win over Madrid in 2009
Their old manager Rafael Benitez, who also had a brief spell as Real Madrid boss, could be seen on the phone in the directors box during the second half. The Spaniard now works in a technical role for UEFA.
Sir Kenny Dalglish, Ian Rush and Phil Thompson were also present at Anfield, and former Liverpool midfielder and ECHO columnist Jan Molby was in attendance alongside his Denmark team-mate Michael Laudrup, who played for both Real Madrid and fierce rivals Barcelona. Peter Schmeichel was also on punditry duty.
And he wasn’t the only former Madrid superstar in attendance. Roberto Carlos – who was spotted in Liverpool city centre enjoying a pint before the last time the sides met at Anfield in 2023 – was there, and he was joined by Spanish legend Emilio Butragueno.
Gareth Bale, meanwhile, was working for TNT Sports alongside Rio Ferdinand and Steve McManaman. The Welshman was the scourge of Liverpool in Kiev in 2018 when Jurgen Klopp’s side were defeated.
Tennis star Rafael Nadal, who recently retired after a glorious career in which he won 22 Grand Slams, was also in the directors box to watched his beloved Madrid lose the game.
Movie stars Michael Myers and Damien Lewis were also spotted at Anfield enjoying the game, both have regularly attended Reds matches over the years.
Also spotted were Arsenal hero Freddie Ljungberg and former Fulham and Crystal Palace centre-back Brede Hangeland, both doing punditry work on the night.
Jobe Bellingham, of Sunderland, was also present to watch his brother be dominated by the Liverpool midfield trio of Curtis Jones, Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch. The family of Mohamed Salah could be also seen reacted with shock the the forward’s penalty miss
