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Bradley experienced through the passionate backing of Anfield's adoration, as Alexander-Arnold – the Scouser who left Liverpool behind – was given a brutal and hostile reminder regarding his changed status.

The young defender was marked to fill the void left ever since he announced his decision to leave Liverpool for Real Madrid, when destiny brought both elite clubs together in the Champions League, the stage was set.

It proved a stark difference when the young defender from Northern Ireland was the shining symbol in a Liverpool performance evoking memories of their championship form as Real Madrid were swept aside.

Alexander-Arnold, who started on the bench, all the while was left a clear message about the supporters who previously chanted his former iconic role now regard him.

The occasion proved of unrelenting ill-feeling targeted at Alexander-Arnold, including his Anfield mural damaged displaying critical phrases prior to kickoff to the Anfield anger caused by behavior which supporters consider as a breach of trust.

The young defender amplified the rage and criticism aimed in Alexander-Arnold's direction via a superb showing that neutralized the dangerous opposing winger to a spectator, limited to dramatic actions – unconvincing antics – against the youngster's physical dominance.

Every Bradley tackle was cheered to the echo, all his balls welcomed with Anfield's approval, supporters singing with gusto, not only for his performance plus an audible message for Alexander-Arnold announcing a fresh face on the scene, that he was now firmly from a previous era.

Bradley, unsurprisingly, even won the admiration by the team's boss.

The defender was magnificent, commented Slot. Facing Vinicius so many times one against one tests any defender, but he handled it superbly.

Assuming the vandalized messages on the defender's tribute hadn't alerted him regarding the coming hostility, he received clear confirmation when he trotted on alongside the visiting team's reserves before kick-off, jeers ringing around Anfield, the critical response repeated when his name called.

Just as it seemed he would miss the total criticism, the Spanish side's coach brought him on as a second-half change during their comeback effort the home team's advantage, justly achieved through by Alex Mac Allister's header just after the hour.

Reception for the substitute proved brutal, including derisive boos following a poor delivery that drifted aimlessly beyond the boundary.

Alexander-Arnold's unhappy cameo was played out to the sound the crowd referencing individuals showing commitment through potential moves to depart Liverpool, namely former captain Steven Gerrard, who watched on from the stands.

This match showcased Liverpool, Conor's moment – a classic Anfield atmosphere amid the comeback of their past hero served as additional motivation to amplify the support.

The Reds, previously struggling following poor results before Aston Villa were beaten on Saturday, responded with a performance that was easily their best during this campaign, a timely reminder regarding the level that enabled them win the championship.

Slot relished Liverpool's return to victory, stating: Winning matches proves more enjoyable compared to defeats for a coach. Defeats consume your complete attention because you so badly want to change it, but you also try to be the same manager and character when you are winning.

Solely the performance of brilliant Real keeper Thibaut Courtois that threatened prevented Liverpool from achieving the justified outcome, via a remarkable showing evoking past matches where he stopped them during their defeat under Klopp the European showpiece in the French capital.

Courtois produced several superb interventions, including four from Dominik Szoboszlai and a remarkable reflex stop from the defender's headed attempt, before even he was powerless by the Argentine's aerial finish after the midfielder's delivery.

Liverpool's narrow victory margin does not touch the sides of total command from start to finish, these crucial three points elevating them to sixth in the European standings, a position that should secure in the last 16 avoiding the requirement to a play-off if maintained.

The midfield duo dominated the engine room, as Wirtz delivered elegant moments from his Leverkusen days. The forward remained dangerous during the game.

The team, differing from typical recent performances, extremely solid in defense as Kylian Mbappe was marginalised, producing a poor, mistake-filled performance. Vinicius had been beaten by the defender early on.

Although representing a tough occasion for Trent, conditions remained unfavorable for Jude Bellingham, presented with the Anfield platform to deliver a reminder of his class before England head coach Thomas Tuchel names his squad for the upcoming internationals after excluding him last time.

Bellingham created a single threat in the first half testing the shot-stopper to make a leg stop, but was otherwise anonymous {as Real failed to establish|