Real Madrid’s huge win at Anfield not only highlighted how bad Liverpool are, but also Chelsea’s failings.
The current European champions beat the Reds 5-2 in a sensational turnaround, having trailed 2-0 in the opening 14 minutes.
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5 The reigning European champions proved their worth at Anfield
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5 Madrid’s five goals have surpassed Chelsea’s efforts this year in nine less games
Carlo Ancelotti’s visitors were ruthless, and Graham Potter’s out-of-form Chelsea side may look to take a leaf out of their book in front of goal.
The Blues have netted just four times since the start of 2023, with such a lack of success in front of goal contributing to their dreadful form.
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Chelsea have played ten games so far this year – nine of them in Blighty – but Madrid’s performance at Anfield has swept their goal scoring efforts aside in just one match.
Two goals from Vinicius Jr and Karim Benzema are also more than any Blues player has been able to muster this year.
Madrid were by far and away the better side on the night but Reds captain Jordan Henderson believes Liverpool were guilty of making far too many errors.
When asked if it was a difficult defeat to take, he told BT Sport: “Very difficult, it’s hard to sum it up straight after the game.
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5 Madrid could be on course for a 15th Champions League title if they maintain this level of performance
“Mixed feelings, frustration with the result. For large parts of the first half we performed well and were unlucky to be level at half time.
“We made too many mistakes. Real Madrid punished us every time tonight. A lot was [down to] their quality. We didn’t help ourselves for sure. We didn’t defend it [Madrid’s third goal] well enough.
“After that there was a few balls we could do better. The game went away from us at that point. The last two games we kept clean sheets. It’s hard. it’s difficult to come here and speak.
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“Yes, they have a lot of quality. When you’re not 100 per cent defending they punish you. We caused ourselves problems at times.
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5 Henderson admitted Liverpool weren’t at the races on Tuesday night
“It’s a tough one to take in the end. We still played a good first half. We were on top and created some good chances.
“There was a good chance at 2-1, a scuffle on the line. If that goes in it’s a big moment.
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“The second goal obviously is a mistake. The third we’ll be disappointed with. That’s when the game went away from us.
“It’s [the second leg] still a few weeks away. We have to move on quickly. We have Premier League games before then so we have to concentrate on that, and cross this bridge when we come to it.”
Liverpool will return to the Santiago Bernabeu for the second leg on March 15 as they look to produce another Champions League miracle.
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5 Whilst Klopp’s side may not be able to turn the tie around, they have history of huge comebacks in the competition
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