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Conor Bradley was driven amidst the overwhelming support of the home crowd's love, while Trent Alexander-Arnold – the local boy who moved on from Anfield – faced a harsh and unwelcome reception about his diminished standing.

Bradley was earmarked as the natural successor after his departure was confirmed to exit Anfield towards the Spanish giants, when destiny brought these continental giants competing in the tournament, the stage was set.

It proved a stark difference with the Northern Irish Northern Ireland right-back was the shining symbol of a Liverpool display that harked back to their Premier League title-winning best while Real Madrid were overwhelmed.

Trent, beginning from the sidelines, all the while was left an unmistakable indication of the supporters who previously chanted his former iconic role currently view him.

This was an event marked by continuous negativity targeted at Alexander-Arnold, from his mural near Anfield defaced displaying critical phrases ahead of the match plus the crowd's rage provoked by what many the faithful view as disloyalty.

Conor Bradley intensified the rage and criticism targeted at his predecessor with a magnificent display which minimized the threat of opposing winger to a spectator, limited to dramatic actions – poor theatrics at that – confronting the defender's superior strength.

All his interventions was cheered to the echo, each distribution met with crowd support, his name chanted passionately, not only for his performance plus an audible message for Alexander-Arnold that a new talent had emerged in town, confirming he was now part of history.

Bradley, unsurprisingly, earned plaudits by the team's boss.

Bradley performed exceptionally, he said. Facing Vinicius in multiple direct confrontations tests any defender, yet he excelled.

Assuming the vandalized messages on Trent's public artwork failed to warn him of what was awaiting him, there was unmistakable evidence as he came out among the Spanish squad's backups prior to the start, jeers ringing around Anfield, the negative reception heard again as his name announced.

At the moment when he could avoid the full-scale vitriol, Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso brought him on as a second-half change while attempting to equalize Liverpool's lead, justly achieved through Mac Allister's headed goal during the 61st minute.

The response to Alexander-Arnold's arrival was savage, including derisive boos that greeted a late cross that drifted aimlessly into touch.

Alexander-Arnold's unhappy cameo was played out to the sound supporters recalling of those who had stayed loyal despite temptations and opportunities to leave Anfield, specifically club legend Steven Gerrard, present in the crowd.

The evening belonged to Liverpool, Bradley's night – a classic Anfield atmosphere with their ex-player's return became extra fuel to amplify the support.

The Reds, previously struggling with six defeats in seven games until their recent victory in their previous match, produced a showing which ranked among their finest this season, a timely reminder of the standard that helped them stroll to the title.

The coach enjoyed the comeback to winning ways, saying: Victories bring greater satisfaction than if you lose as a manager. If you lose, then it takes your complete attention as you intensely desire to improve the situation, but you also try to maintain your approach and person that you are during successful periods.

Merely the presence of brilliant Real keeper Thibaut Courtois that threatened denied the Reds their deserved result, with a stunning individual performance evoking past matches where he stopped them in the previous final loss the European showpiece in Paris.

The Belgian made a string superb interventions, preventing goals from the midfielder and an amazing instinctive block against Van Dijk's aerial effort, before finally being beaten by the Argentine's aerial finish from the Hungarian's free-kick.

The close scoreline hardly reflects their domination from first whistle to last, these important points moving them to sixth position in the Champions League table, a position that should secure direct qualification avoiding the requirement for additional matches if sustained.

The midfield duo dominated midfield, with Wirtz contributing creative flourishes that made his name at Bayer Leverkusen. Hugo Ekitike was a constant menace throughout the match.

The Reds, contrasting with previous this season, rock solid in defense as Kylian Mbappe was marginalised, delivering a dreadful, error-strewn display. Vinicius was outperformed by the defender early on.

While proving a difficult evening for Trent, it was not much better for the English midfielder, offered the Anfield stage to demonstrate again of his class ahead of the national team manager announces his team to face Serbia and Albania after being left out recently.

The midfielder produced one opportunity in the first half making the goalkeeper save to make a leg stop, but offered little else {as Real failed to establish|