by Arne Slot was happy to beat a Real Madrid side who had been a ‘bane’ for Liverpool for several years, but downplayed the significance of the 2-0 victory.
After seven defeats and a draw – including defeats in the 2018 and 2022 finals – the Reds achieved their first success against their European enemy since 2009 thanks to goals from Alexis Mac Allister and Cody Gakpo.
Liverpool lead the Champions League with five wins from five and are on the verge of securing a place in the last 16, but Slot said victory would mean much more if it came in the last 16.
“I wouldn’t say it’s like any other because you know how special it is to play against a club that has won this Champions League so many times and is also the reigning champion,” he said. have dominated Europe in recent years and have also been painful for Liverpool on several occasions,” he told TNT Sports.
In his post-match press conference, Slot added: “I think it’s always good to win a match and especially a big match like this, you know you’re playing so many quality players.
“It’s such a strange and different set-up in the Champions League that it’s difficult to judge the importance of these victories.
“If we meet them in the round of 16 and then manage to beat them, that would be a bigger statement.”
Liverpool were well worth their long-awaited victory by dominating throughout and keeping generational talents Kylian Mbappe – who missed a penalty – and Jude Bellingham for almost the entire match.
They could even afford for Mohamed Salah to miss his own shot on goal, but that did not affect the result as Real were limited to 37% possession and just three shots on target.
When asked if his team was currently the best in Europe, Slot replied: “Those (players) here for a long time are almost used to playing a final, this team has always been there.
“The last two years may have been different, but it was just a few adjustments and we’re only five games into a new format.
“We are happy where we are but let’s not get carried away with a victory in the group stage. This club wants more.
The only blemish of the evening was injuries to Ibrahima Konate and the excellent 21-year-old Conor Bradley, who silenced Mbappe then provided the assist for Mac Allister’s opener.
“I know where they are hurting, but it’s difficult to judge so closely after the game, but it happens,” said Slot, who has four days to prepare his Premier League leaders for the visit of Manchester City.
“I really hope both are available, but if not, someone else will have to step up.”
On Bradley’s performance, replacing Trent Alexander-Arnold who was on the bench after returning from a hamstring injury, the Liverpool boss added: “Conor did very well but I’m absolutely not surprised, he showed it last season and this too.
Real manager Carlo Ancelotti admitted they were beaten by the better team.
“I think to be completely honest it’s a fair result, Liverpool deserved to win,” he said.
“I think Mbappé is having a difficult time. We must support him and give him our love, he will be fine soon.
“It can be due to a lack of confidence, sometimes maybe when you have moments where things don’t work, the idea is to keep things simple, not to complicate life.
“You don’t need to blame him for missing penalties, people miss penalties, it happens a lot.”
A third defeat in the group stage for the first time in the club’s history puts them on course to reach at least the play-offs for the last 16 – but Ancelotti has no doubts.
“This match today was not decisive for our league position,” he said.
“It’s always been difficult to finish in the top eight, we need to make sure we’re in the next 24 as high as possible and we’ll be there.”
