Caption: LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 27: Carlo Ancelotti, Head Coach of Real Madrid, speaks to the media in a post match press conference after the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD5 match between Liverpool FC and Real Madrid C.F. at Anfield on November 27, 2024 in Liverpool, England. (UEFA via Getty)
Carlo Ancelotti has described Liverpool as Real Madrid’s ‘most difficult rival’ in the Champions League after their 2-0 defeat at Anfield on Wednesday evening.
Arne Slot’s side delivered an impressive performance against the Champions League holders to make it five wins from five games in Europe this season.
Alexis Mac Allister opened the scoring in the second before Kylian Mbappemissed the chance to equalise for Madrid as he saw his penalty saved by Caoimhin Kelleher.
Mohamed Salah then missed from the spot for Liverpool before Cody Gakpo found the net with 14 minutes remaining to seal the win for the hosts.
‘It was a difficult match, as we knew, it was the most difficult stadium in Europe,’ Ancelotti told Movistar.
‘We competed well until the penalty, but then we dropped a bit in level, we could have made more of the counter-attacks.
‘I liked the team, we competed well against the most difficult rival in Europe and they deserved to win.’
Cody Gakpo struck to seal Liverpool’s 2-0 win against Real Madrid (AP)
In his post-match press conference, Ancelotti added: ‘I think to be totally honest with you it’s a fair result, Liverpool deserved to win.
‘They have a real good dynamic at the moment, they’re in great form, they’re really switched on, connected and playing with a high intensity.
‘We did okay in the first half, we held them, we set up quite well, defended well as a unit, we tried to create our own opportunities as well, in transitions we were okay but then we lost the ball, we made the wrong decisions when we were going forward in the final ball as well.’
Jude Bellingham says Liverpool are ‘the best-performing team in Europe’ (Getty)
Meanwhile, Jude Bellingham described Liverpool as ‘the best-performing team in Europe’ after Madrid’s loss.
‘I think to be fair from the first minute they just took control, we never maximised the spells we had in possession,’ Bellingham told TNT Sports.
‘We tried to force the counter too many times, turned the ball over so much that they just kept control. I just think they were more up for it than us, which is really disappointing to say.
‘It’s probably a bad result against the best-performing team in Europe so it’s no disgrace to come here and lose, but we are disappointed in how we performed.
‘We need to use it in the right way, we’ve got three games left and it’s important we win those.’
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