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Bradley experienced through the passionate backing from Liverpool's faithful, while Trent Alexander-Arnold – the hometown hero who left Liverpool behind – was given a brutal and negative reaction of his fall from grace.

The young defender was marked to fill the void left after his departure was confirmed to exit Anfield for Real Madrid, as luck would have it the two European superpowers face-to-face in Europe, all was ready.

A dramatic comparison emerged with the Northern Irish defender from Northern Ireland was the shining symbol in a Liverpool performance evoking memories to their Premier League title-winning best while Real Madrid were overwhelmed.

The substitute Alexander-Arnold from the sidelines, constantly received a clear message about the crowd that used to celebrate about 'the Scouser in our team' presently perceive him.

This was an event marked by continuous negativity aimed in Alexander-Arnold's direction, from his mural near Anfield being vandalised with the words "Adios El Rata" prior to kickoff plus the crowd's rage caused by behavior which Liverpool fans regard as disloyalty.

The young defender amplified the anger and disdain aimed in Alexander-Arnold's direction through an outstanding performance which minimized the threat of Vinicius Jr to a passenger, only able to offer theatrics – poor theatrics at that – in the face of the defender's superior strength.

All his interventions received roaring approval, each distribution met with Anfield's approval, vocals celebrating him enthusiastically, both for his display but as a voluble reminder for Alexander-Arnold announcing a fresh face at the club, establishing him as from a previous era.

Bradley, unsurprisingly, earned plaudits by the team's boss.

The defender was magnificent, stated the coach. To be up against Vinicius in numerous individual duels is not for everyone, but he handled it superbly.

If the insults daubed on the defender's tribute hadn't alerted him of what was awaiting him, he received clear confirmation when he trotted on to warm-up as one of the visiting team's reserves prior to the start, negative reactions filling the air, the negative reception occurring once more during called.

At the moment when like he might escape the complete hostility, Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso introduced him as an 81st-minute substitute as they tried to level the Reds' margin, justly achieved through Mac Allister's headed goal just after the hour.

Reaction to Trent's entrance appeared harsh, plus sarcastic shouts after an errant pass which sailed harmlessly beyond the boundary.

The defender's brief, negative showing occurred alongside of Liverpool's fans reminding him of those who had stayed loyal through potential moves to leave Anfield, particularly ex-skipper Gerrard, present in the crowd.

The evening belonged to Liverpool, Bradley's night – a classic Anfield atmosphere with their ex-player's return became extra fuel to increase the intensity.

The Reds, previously struggling with six defeats in seven games until their recent victory last weekend, produced a showing that represented their peak this season, a crucial indication regarding the level that enabled them win the championship.

Slot relished Liverpool's return to successful results, commenting: It is nicer if you win games than if you lose as a manager. Defeats consume all of your time since you desperately need to change it, but you also try to be the same manager and character amid victories.

Merely the presence of brilliant Real keeper Thibaut Courtois that threatened prevented Liverpool from achieving the justified outcome, via a remarkable showing that revived memories when he frustrated them when Jurgen Klopp's team lost the continental decider at the Stade de France.

Courtois produced several outstanding stops, preventing goals from the midfielder and a remarkable reflex stop against Van Dijk's aerial effort, until eventually he couldn't prevent from Mac Allister's headed goal from the Hungarian's free-kick.

The slim winning difference barely represents their domination from first whistle to last, this significant victory moving them to sixth position in the Champions League table, a placement that would guarantee knockout stage advancement avoiding the requirement of extra games if continued.

Szoboszlai and Mac Allister ruled midfield, with Wirtz contributing creative flourishes from his Leverkusen days. Ekitike posed continuous threats throughout the match.

Liverpool were, unlike so often recent performances, extremely solid in defense while Mbappe became ineffective, producing a poor, mistake-filled performance. The Brazilian was defeated by Bradley long before the end.

Although representing a tough occasion for Alexander-Arnold, it was not much better for Jude Bellingham, given the Liverpool setting to deliver a reminder of his class ahead of the national team manager selects his roster in the coming matches after being left out recently.

He provided one moment of danger in the first half when he forced Giorgi Mamardashvili to save with his legs, but offered little else {as Real failed to establish|