Real Madrid batters Liverpool; registers a comprehensive win at Anfield

Real Madrid staged a miraculous come from behind 5-2 win over their Merseyside counterparts in their Champions League round of 16 first leg at Anfield on Tuesday night as both Vinicius Junior and Karim Benzema scored a brace. 

The rematch of last year’s final produced a barrage of goals with the reigning champions scoring five goals without reply after going down 2-0 to put qualification for the quarterfinals on an almost definite track. 

"We dedicate this victory to our honorary club president Amancio Amaro [who died on Tuesday]," Benzema said after the match. "This victory is for him. We showed personality, scored goals. We want this Champions League.

"It was a beautiful game. We didn't start well. After 15 minutes, we saw Real Madrid. Football is always difficult. They started the game better than us, backed by the support of their fans. We knew we had to do more, and we did it until the end."

A fascinating first half saw The Reds establish a two goal lead early in the game with a cheeky flicked on finish from Darwin Nunez and Mohammad Salah’s strike from close range after a terrible blunder by Madrid keeper Thubaut Courtois.  

The visitors cut the deficit in half before the half hour mark through Vinicius, who curled a perfect low shot past Allison from the penalty area to make it 2-1. 

Another laughable error from a goalkeeper led to Madrid’s second, as Allison’s quick pass was mishit and the ball bounced off Vincius, looped over the keeper and rolled into the net. The match was evenly poised at 2-2 at the break. 

Despite the shaky start, early second half goals from Eder Militao and Benzema put the 14 time champions in the driver’s seat. From being 2 goals down in the first quarter of the match to lead 4-2 in less than an hour is a testament of Madrid’s supremacy in this competition. 

Benzema closed off the game with his second to finish off a smooth counterattack from Madrid, the France forward picking up a pass from Vincius, sliding to his left past the onrushing Alisson and smashing a shot in the upper left corner.

"I've played very little in this Champions League," Benzema said. "I have to help my team with goals and assists. I played a good game. I had a lot of games last season, and I had an injury at the World Cup. It's always difficult to get to your top level, but little by little I'm getting better."

Real Madrid will have the advantage going into the second leg which is scheduled to be played at the Santiago Bernabeu on March 15. Liverpool on the other hand will strive to shrug off the Anfield disappointment and start afresh.  

"Many things can happen in football," Benzema said. "We are on the right path, but we will need another great game in Madrid."