Watch Trent Alexander-Arnold’s awful header allow Marco Asensio to double Real Madrid’s lead vs Liverpool
TRENT ALEXANDER-ARNOLD was at fault as Real Madrid made it 2-0 in the first-half of their Champions League quarter-final first-leg clash in the Spanish capital.
Liverpool were already trailing 1-0 thanks to Vinicius Jr’s early strike when the right-back’s error gifted Los Blancos a second.
Toni Kroos’ pinged a tempting long ball over the Liverpool midfield, having already assisted the opening goal.
But Alexander-Arnold misjudged his clearance, as his diving header nodded the ball straight into the path of Marco Asensio.
The Spanish playmaker was suddenly one-on-one with Kop stopper Alisson.
And Asensio calmly flicked the ball over the Brazilian and poked it into the empty net.
Liverpool were left furious, believing Sadio Mane had been fouled in the build-up, but the goal was allowed to stand.
Mane was booked in the aftermath for his protestations.
Alexander-Arnold was looking to build on a superb performance during Liverpool’s 3-0 win at Arsenal on Saturday.
The right-back had surprisingly been dropped by England boss Gareth Southgate for the 2022 World Cup qualifying triple-header.
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After his starring role against the Gunners, setting up Diogo Jota for the opener with a sensational cross, many had questioned Southgate’s call.
But having endured a tricky 2020-21 already, Alexander-Arnold’s misjudgment did his Reds team-mates no favours.
Currently sitting seventh – and able to go as low as eighth if Everton win their game in hand – in the Premier League, Jurgen Klopp knows winning this season’s Champions League might be his best chance of qualifying for next term’s competition.
But after going 2-0 down before half-time in Madrid, Liverpool may need another European miracle at Anfield to keep that dream alive.
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