Liverpool 0-3 Real Madrid: Three Things We Learned From The Game

Goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and a brace from Karim Benzema in the first half were enough for the defending champions to defeat Liverpool 3-0 and remain top of the group with nine points. The victory also made it seven European victories in a row for the visitors and eight-straight victories in all competitions.

Here are the major talking points from the game.

Benzema shows Balotelli how it’s done

Although we are just two months into the new season, it is already starting to look as if Brendan Rodgers’ patience is starting wear thin, with regards to Mario Balotelli. The Italian striker started against Real Madrid, but there was a sense that he was never going to end the game, particularly given the form that he has been. The Italian once again didn’t make the most of the opportunity presented to him and was promptly substituted at half time.

What makes matters worse is that on the other side of the pitch, Karim Benzema gave the perfect example of how to play as a lone striker. The Frenchman who hasn’t always been loved by the club’s supporters spearheaded the visitors attack with great aplomb. Whether it was being in the right place to score his two goals or tracking back and putting pressure on opposing attackers or linking up with midfielders, Benzema did it all and displayed bundles of energy right throughout the game. Even if Balotelli didn’t score, the fact he didn’t look like he was ever going to and his languid demeanour, coupled with his half-time shirt swapping antics mean that it might be a while before we see him again, especially if Daniel Sturridge is fit.

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Real show their class

This was billed as the game between the five-time European champions and the reigning European champions. The Reds started the game brightly but failed to capitalise on their advantage. And once Cristiano Ronaldo opened the scoring, it looked as though there was no way back for the home side, even though there was still more than an hour left on the clock.

The opening goal was also the club’s first goal against Liverpool in the Champions League. By the end of the first half, the gulf in class was evident for all to see and it looked as though it was only a matter of time before Madrid broke their duck and secured their first victory over Liverpool. The Reds have looked a pale imitation of themselves so far this season and they need to get sorted pretty quickly or all the work that they did to get into the Champions League might go to waste.

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Isco’s performance reiterates Real’s strength in depth

Although Benzema scored two goals, Ronaldo opened the scoring with a well-taken goal and the side’s central midfield duo of Luka Modric and Toni Kroos dominated the midfield, the side’s best performer on the day was arguably the Spanish international Isco. The Spaniard, who hasn’t played as much as he would have liked to so far this season got his opportunity against Liverpool and took it with both hands.

Such is the quality at Carlo Ancelotti’s disposal that a player like Isco, who ran the show against the Reds can only come in, if there is an injury to someone else. The 22-year-old orchestrated the attack brilliantly from the flank and displayed not only bouts of pace, but plenty of precise passing as well. His ability to wriggle free from defenders time and again was simply stunning to watch. And on the odd occasions that he did lose the ball, he didn’t stand on ceremony, but instead tracked his runner and won the ball back and showed that he doesn’t just have intelligence on the ball, but also the industry to win it as well.