It has been some week for Liverpool. And it could be about to get even better.
The Reds brushed Real Madrid aside after goals from Alexis Mac Allister and Cody Gakpo. The 2-0 triumph was their fifth win in as many matches in the Champions League this season.Attention will quickly turn to the weekend though, when an out-of-sorts Manchester City head to Merseyside. A victory for Liverpool puts them 11 points ahead of the champions. Our fan jury have their say on a huge week so far and what has the potential to be a memorable day on Sunday.James Noble
With a wonderful Wednesday night still ringing in the ears, attention swiftly shifts to Sunday and back to Anfield. Come full time against Manchester City, the aim is for the superb 2-0 win over Real Madrid to at least have competition as the Reds’ highlight of the week. That’s great territory to be in. “Liverpool, top of the leagues” booming out from the Kop reflects how promisingly 2024/25 is developing.From the thunderous Conor Bradley tackle on Kylian Mbappe that reverberated around the ground, to Caoimhin Kelleher’s brilliant penalty save, and Alexis Mac Allister and Cody Gakpo’s shrewdly constructed goals, there was so much to like in midweek. Hopefully Ibrahima Konate and Bradley’s injuries aren’t too serious. As Arne Slot referenced post-match, though, the squad has persistently stepped up when necessary.
Having recovered calmly to win at Southampton last weekend, the chance to go 11 points clear of City with a win on Sunday is evidently significant. They may be in poor form but little reminder is needed of their quality. With patience, directness, flexibility and our own game-changing quality in the armoury, however, the Reds look capable of finding several ways to win.
James Noble
With a wonderful Wednesday night still ringing in the ears, attention swiftly shifts to Sunday and back to Anfield. Come full time against Manchester City, the aim is for the superb 2-0 win over Real Madrid to at least have competition as the Reds’ highlight of the week. That’s great territory to be in. “Liverpool, top of the leagues” booming out from the Kop reflects how promisingly 2024/25 is developing.From the thunderous Conor Bradley tackle on Kylian Mbappe that reverberated around the ground, to Caoimhin Kelleher’s brilliant penalty save, and Alexis Mac Allister and Cody Gakpo’s shrewdly constructed goals, there was so much to like in midweek. Hopefully Ibrahima Konate and Bradley’s injuries aren’t too serious. As Arne Slot referenced post-match, though, the squad has persistently stepped up when necessary.
Having recovered calmly to win at Southampton last weekend, the chance to go 11 points clear of City with a win on Sunday is evidently significant. They may be in poor form but little reminder is needed of their quality. With patience, directness, flexibility and our own game-changing quality in the armoury, however, the Reds look capable of finding several ways to win.
Andrew Cullen
What a magnificent start to a week where our major honour credentials are under the microscope. It was pure bliss seeing Liverpool players clash and crash into a frail Real Madrid team, including Conor Bradley’s elegant, crunching tackle on Kylian Mbappe, which produced a chorus of adulation from the Anfield crowd.
Curtis Jones and Ryan Gravenberch were beautifully in synchronicity all game, playing delicate one-twos, gliding past opposition players, and moving the ball gracefully forward. The Liverpool midfield was solid, yet fluid, graceful, yet intense. It left Jude Bellingham meandering across the midfield in a drunken haze.As well as a glowing midfield performance, the defence was equally bright, keeping a dangerous Madrid attacking line quiet. It would be remiss not to mention Caoimhin Kelleher’s performance; as always, he was cool and composed on a frenetic and frantic evening, performing when called upon, inflicting emotional damage on Kylian Mbappe with a penalty save, after Bradley and Virgil had taken care of the physical damage to Mbappe.
Clash of the Titans part two awaits us on Sunday. If the same feverish atmosphere can be conjured, and if the Liverpool players inject as much intensity into the performance, we have every chance of defeating Man City and stretching our lead at the summit of the league.We can expect a ferocious and fierce City team who will be wounded by the recent mini-critique of their form. We will need a remarkable performance to finish off a remarkable week.
Rhys Buchanan
“Liverpool top of the leagues!” was the chant jubilantly ringing around Anfield on a freezing Wednesday night as The Reds continued the feel-good factor with a rare win against Real Madrid.
Leaving the ground after such a classy performance, I couldn’t help but think that was the complete team display from Liverpool, with just about every name in the side playing their part.
Ultimately though, there’s no denying it was a night for the Irish lads in the side, with Kelleher once again proving just how good he can be in the big games and a truly unforgettable first Champions League start for Connor Bradley.
It’s of course fitness dependent, but I think both players have made more than a strong enough case to be starting in the showdown against Manchester City on Sunday afternoon. Three points and we’re further into dreamland.
