Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp was left disappointed as his side succumbed to a 5-2 defeat against Real Madrid in the first leg of the Champions League round of 16.

The match, which took place at Anfield on February 21, 2023, was dominated by the Spanish side, who took an early lead with a goal from Vinicius Junior in the ninth minute. Liverpool’s Roberto Firmino equalised shortly after, but Real Madrid’s imperial troopers soon took control of the game, with a brace from Karim Benzema and a goal from Marco Asensio.

Liverpool had a chance to get back into the game when they were awarded a penalty in the second half, but the penalty was saved by Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. The Spanish side sealed the victory when Vinicius Junior scored his second goal of the night in the 79th minute.

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti praised Vinicius Junior for his performance, calling him “the most decisive player in the world”. Ancelotti also praised his side for their performance, saying they had “glided through a Liverpool side out of time”.

Klopp, meanwhile, lamented his side’s passive performance, saying: “We became passive in the first half and that cost us the game”. He also said he was hoping for a better result in the second leg, which will be played in Madrid on March 16.