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Bradley experienced amidst the overwhelming support from Liverpool's faithful, while Trent Alexander-Arnold – the Scouser who departed the club – was given a brutal and hostile reminder regarding his changed status.

Conor Bradley had been identified as Alexander-Arnold's heir apparent from the moment he announced his decision to exit Anfield for Real Madrid, when destiny brought these continental giants face-to-face in Europe, all was ready.

A dramatic comparison emerged when the young defender from Northern Ireland emerged as the standout figure of a Liverpool display that harked back from their dominant seasons as the Spanish side was defeated.

Trent, beginning on the bench, constantly received in no doubt how the supporters who previously chanted his local hero status presently perceive him.

The occasion proved of unrelenting ill-feeling aimed in Alexander-Arnold's direction, starting with his public artwork being vandalised with the words "Adios El Rata" before the game and the stadium's fury sparked by actions that supporters consider as disloyalty.

Bradley actually fuelled the rage and criticism targeted at his predecessor with a magnificent display that neutralized the dangerous Vinicius Jr to a passenger, limited to dramatic actions – poor theatrics at that – confronting Bradley's commanding presence.

Every Bradley tackle was cheered to the echo, each distribution met with Anfield's approval, supporters singing passionately, both for his display plus an audible message towards Trent that there was a new kid on the scene, that he was now firmly from a previous era.

Bradley, unsurprisingly, garnered praise by the team's boss.

The defender was magnificent, he said. To be up against Vinicius in multiple direct confrontations tests any defender, but he handled it superbly.

Had the graffiti displayed on the defender's tribute failed to warn him of what was awaiting him, he received clear confirmation as he came out among Real Madrid's substitutes ahead of the game, negative reactions filling the air, the critical response repeated when his name was read out.

At the moment when he would miss the complete hostility, the Spanish side's coach sent him in as a second-half change as they tried to level the home team's advantage, deservedly given to them the midfielder's aerial finish early in the second half.

The response to Alexander-Arnold's arrival appeared harsh, plus sarcastic shouts that greeted a late cross which sailed harmlessly into touch.

Alexander-Arnold's unhappy cameo happened during supporters recalling of those who had stayed loyal amid transfer interest to depart Liverpool, specifically club legend Steven Gerrard, who watched on from the stands.

The evening belonged to Liverpool, Conor's moment – exactly the type of occasion the stadium loves amid the comeback of their past hero acted as an even more potent catalyst to turn up the volume.

The Reds, previously struggling with six defeats in seven games before Aston Villa were beaten on Saturday, produced a showing which ranked among their finest during this campaign, a crucial indication of the standard that helped them stroll to the title.

The coach enjoyed the comeback to victory, saying: Winning matches proves more enjoyable compared to defeats for a coach. Defeats consume your complete attention because you so badly want to reverse the trend, yet you attempt to maintain your approach and person that you are during successful periods.

Solely the performance of brilliant Real keeper Courtois who nearly prevented Liverpool from achieving the justified outcome, through an outstanding personal display that revived memories where he stopped them when Jurgen Klopp's team lost the 2022 Champions League final at the Stade de France.

The Belgian made a string of magnificent saves, preventing goals from the midfielder and a remarkable reflex stop against Van Dijk's aerial effort, before even he was powerless by the Argentine's aerial finish from the Hungarian's free-kick.

The slim winning difference hardly reflects their domination from first whistle to last, these crucial three points elevating them to sixth in the tournament ranking, a standing that will put them in the last 16 eliminating the necessity to a play-off if maintained.

Szoboszlai and Mac Allister ruled the center of the park, with Wirtz contributing some of the subtle touches from his Leverkusen days. Ekitike posed continuous threats during the game.

The Reds, contrasting with previous this season, rock solid in defense as Kylian Mbappe was marginalised, showing poorly with multiple errors. Vinicius was outperformed by Conor well before full-time.

Although representing a tough occasion for Trent, conditions remained unfavorable for Jude Bellingham, presented with the Anfield platform to showcase once more his ability prior to the Three Lions boss announces his team in the coming matches after excluding him last time.

Bellingham created a single threat in the first half making the goalkeeper save to make a leg stop, but offered little else {as Real failed to establish|