Arne Slot welcomed the statement that Liverpool had won against the team that troubled them in the Champions League, saying the basis for this was the club’s young players. The manager watched as Alexis Mac Allister and Cody Gakpo scored the goals in a 2-0 win over Real Madrid, which moved Liverpool back to the top of the table after five games with an unblemished record.

It was goalkeeper Caoimhín Kelleher, right-back Conor Bradley and midfielder Curtis Jones who stood out as Liverpool finally got a result against the 15-time European champions.

Madrid defeated Liverpool in the final of the competition in 2018 and 2022, while they eliminated Liverpool in the round of 16 in 2023 and the quarter-finals in 2021.

Slot said: “I wouldn’t say it’s the same as any other because you know how special it is to play against a club that has won this Champions League so many times and is also the reigning champions who won Europe last “has dominated for a few years and has also been a pain in the ass for Liverpool many times.”

Bradley dominated his duel with Kylian Mbappé and set up Mac Allister’s goal, although Slot claimed he didn’t know he had made the final pass. Kelleher then saved a penalty from Mbappé; Mohamed Salah missed the penalty for Liverpool before Gakpo’s goal. Jones once again exuded composure and ingenuity on the ball.

The only downer for Liverpool was the sight of Bradley limping with what appeared to be a muscle problem and centre-back Ibrahima Konaté’s apparent discomfort with an unspecified problem after the final whistle.

“Conor played the ball to Macca – so he was in a strange position!” Slot said. “It’s nice for him, his family and us, but also for the academy. Not just him… Caoimhín and Curtis were outstanding. The fact that three academy players are doing so well is a huge compliment to the academy. The penalty was a big moment for Caoimhín. You see Mbappé behind the ball and I thought what everyone was thinking – it will probably go in.”

Carlo Ancelotti, Real coach, said: “It’s a fair result, Liverpool deserved to win.” It’s a difficult moment for Mbappé. We have to support him and give him our love, he will be fine soon.”