The French striker missed a penalty as the defeat left Madrid on the verge of elimination from the Champions League.

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti believes his French striker Kylian Mbappe needs “love and support” after another goalless performance for his Spanish club in the UEFA Champions League.

Former Paris Saint-Germain player Mbappe had hoped his move to Real Madrid would finally end his wait to win the Champions League, but on Wednesday it seemed a long way off after a 2-0 defeat against Liverpool had meant that the defending champions were in danger of being eliminated from the elite tournament of European club football in the first phase.

If Madrid do indeed go out early, Mbappe could look back on a miserable evening at Anfield, where he was humiliated by a young defender and then missed a penalty that would have equalized.

Ancelotti said afterwards that the star striker was going through a “difficult moment” just months after joining the record 15-time European champions.

“We have to give him our support and love and he will be fine soon,” Ancelotti said as he fielded several questions from Spanish reporters about Mbappe’s form.

“It could perhaps be due to a lack of self-confidence. Sometimes when there are moments in the game and things aren’t working out, the idea is to keep things simple. Don’t complicate things.

“He’s going through this moment right now. You get through them. Don’t blame him for missing a penalty. People miss penalties. We can’t cause him too much grief for that.”

World Cup winner Mbappe looked a shadow of his former self against a Liverpool team that has been leading the English Premier League and Champions League this season.

He was brought down by a tough tackle from 21-year-old right-back Conor Bradley as he threatened to push for goal in the first half – sparking huge celebrations from the home crowd.

And things got even worse for Mbappe in the second half when he had the chance to make it 1-1 with a penalty after Alexis Mac Allister had given six-time European champions Liverpool the lead. But when Caoimhin Kelleher was beaten, he saw his shot blocked by Liverpool’s substitute goalkeeper.

Mbappe has scored nine goals in 18 games for Madrid since leaving PSG as a free agent at the end of last season. However, he has only scored one goal in the Champions League for his new club, who have lost three of their five games in the new-look competition.

“Things aren’t working out for him. We have to be patient. “He’s an exceptional player – a fantastic player,” Ancelotti said.

Madrid finished 24th in the competition’s revamped 36-team league phase.

The top eight teams advance to the round of 16, while places nine to 24 go to the playoffs.

Mbappe wasn’t the only player who didn’t convert a penalty in this game, Mohamed Salah also missed a penalty himself. But substitute Cody Gakpo doubled Liverpool’s lead.

With the win, new Liverpool head coach Arne Slot achieved something his predecessor Jürgen Klopp never did by beating Real in the Champions League. Klopp lost five times and drew once in six games against Madrid – including two defeats in the final.

Liverpool have extended their perfect Champions League record this season and are top of the table after five games.

Each team plays eight games in the opening phase.

Madrid play Atalanta and Liverpool face Girona next month.