Liverpool are out at Real
Benzema destroys Klopp’s wild Champions League dreams
03/15/2023 10:58 p.m
Liverpool FC takes a bit of hope with them to Madrid – but the deficit from the disastrous first leg proves to be too big. Real Madrid also wins the second leg of the Champions League round of 16. For Jürgen Klopp it is now about saving the season in the Premier League.
The football miracle did not materialize, for Jürgen Klopp and Liverpool FC the Champions League ended after the round of 16. The English football runners-up with the German team manager said goodbye to the defending champions Real Madrid from the premier class with a 0-1 (0-0). After the 2:5 home defeat in the first leg, the chances were already reduced to a minimum. Karim Benzema scored the only goal (78th). Real with Toni Kroos and Antonio Rüdiger showed a dominant performance and underlined the claim to his ninth Champions League title.
Madrid: Courtois – Carvajal (Vazquez 86), Militao, Ruediger, Fernandez – Modric (Ceballos 82), Camavinga, Kroos (Tchouameni 84) – Valverde, Benzema (Rodrygo 82), Vinicius Junior (Asensio 84). – Trainer: Ancelotti
Liverpool: Alisson – Alexander Arnold, Konate, van Dijk, Robertson (90+1 Tsimikas) – Gakpo (90+1 Carvalho), Fabinho, Milner (73 Oxlade-Chamberlain) – Salah, Jota (57 Elliott), Nunez ( 57. Firmino). – Trainer: clop
Referee: Felix Zwayer (Berlin)
Goal: 1-0 Benzema (78′)
Viewers: 63.127
Yellow card: – Tsimikas
In the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu, an entertaining game developed from the start. In view of the heavy mortgage from the first leg, Liverpool started offensively and courageously – and thus offered the hosts space. Real created chances, Eduardo Camavingas (20′) Schlenzer was just able to steer goalkeeper Alisson to the crossbar. Liverpool then acted more stable and created chances for themselves, but Real goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois was always there.
Afterwards, the English repeatedly revealed mysterious defensive gaps, which Real did not play out consistently. Alisson saved within seconds against Federico Valverde and Benzema (53rd). So the guests stayed in the game, but it was no longer enough for a miracle. Instead, Benzema’s goal ended Klopp and his players’ vague quarter-final hopes. After an assist from Vinicius Júnior, the Frenchman slid the ball in from close range, this time Alisson had no chance.
It is unclear when the title holder from 2005 and 2019 will return to the Champions League. Because after a mixed season and the embarrassing 1-0 defeat at relegation candidates AFC Bournemouth, the Reds are currently six points behind fourth place in the domestic Premier League, which entitles them to participate in the premier class.