Liverpool beat Real Madrid 1-0 in a UEFA Champions League match on November 4, 2025. The winning goal was a header by Alexis Mac Allister in the 61st minute. This was a league-stage fixture played at Anfield. Recent meeting and historical context. Recent form: The win marked a continued revival for Liverpool under coach Arne Slot, following a difficult run of form. Historic victory: This result was a repetition of the 1981 European Cup final, where Liverpool also beat Real Madrid 1-0. Former player's return: The match was also notable for the return of former Liverpool player Trent Alexander-Arnold, who now plays for Real Madrid. He was booed by the Anfield crowd upon entering the game as a late substitute

Alexander Isak's first Liverpool goal was overshadowed by Hugo Ekitike's late winner and sending off against Southampton as last season's finalists progressed to the Carabao Cup fourth round with a 2-1 win.

Ekitike had seemingly forgotten he was already on a booking when he took his shirt off in celebration after Federico Chiesa squared the ball for him to seal victory at Anfield. The Frenchman will now miss Saturday's trip to Crystal Palace in the Premier League.

Isak was replaced by Ekitike at the break after opening his account on the stroke of half-time. The £125m striker says he is on his way to getting fit - and was instructed to do sprints during the interval - but will be Liverpool's only natural striker at Selhurst Park.

Liverpool's habit of conceding goals from positions of strength caused them problems again as they found themselves hanging on for a 2-1 win in the 247th Merseyside derby.

A fifth successive league victory kept the champions in an unassailable position at the top of the table but, but while there was no need for any late drama of recent matches, they never appear more vulnerable than when 2-0 up.

Three times in six matches this season they have been pegged back from that position only to score added-time winners, but when Ryan Gravenberch and Hugo Ekitike scored inside 29 minutes at home to Everton, it appeared it would be plain sailing.

But, as this campaign has proved, nothing is straightforward for Arne Slot's side, which is still adjusting to the influx of summer signings, and a strangely lacklustre second half allowed the visitors to significantly change the dynamic with Idrissa Gueye's 58th-minute strike.

Everton then finished strongest but just did not have enough quality to snatch an equaliser, and David Moyes left Anfield having equalled Sir Bobby Robson's unwanted record of never having won at the ground in 23 attempts, losing the last nine in succession.

Summing signing Florian Wirtz was dropped to the Liverpool bench for the first time while Everton were relying heavily on their own £100 million ($134.8m) man -- albeit on loan -- Jack Grealish for inspiration, but his every loss of possession, mis-control and error was jeered mercilessly.

Conor Bradley, making his first start of the season, had a relatively easy job in the first half but faced a more difficult job after the break.

Another fast start saw Liverpool take the lead in the 10th minute. Mohamed Salah's looped cross dropped into the right-hand side of the penalty area and Gravenberch, not renowned for his finishing, allowed it to bounce before hooking a shot across and over Jordan Pickford.

The Dutchman did not score at all last season but already has two in five games.

Salah whipped a shot over while Cody Gakpo mis-hit a volley into the ground before Ekitike showed them how it should be done.

The France international, whose ability to drop deep to turn and run at Everton's defence, finished off a brilliant move which cut through the visitors' static midfield, with Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister combining before Gravenberch slid through an inviting pass.

Ekitike controlled with his first touch and rolled an angled shot through Pickford's legs with his second.

Beto, whose only sight of goal was a difficult one when Iliman Ndiaye crossed behind him, was replaced by Thierno Barry at half-time, but it was Liverpool's slow start to the second half which gave Everton hope when there appeared little.

While Slot was preparing his first changes -- Curtis Jones and Wirtz - to re-energise his side, Grealish swung a cross to the far post where Ndiaye laid it back for Gueye to smash home.

Alexander Isak replaced Ekitike not long after but even the British record signing, still short of match fitness, struggled to turn the tide back in Liverpool's favour.

The fulltime whistle came as something of a relief for the hosts, who extended their current narrative of winning while being far from their best.

Everton's season, meanwhile, has stalled after the international break but Moyes will take encouragement from their second half even if it did not amount to anything.

Liverpool delivered another dramatic late twist as they opened their Champions League campaign with victory over Atletico Madrid at Anfield.

Alexander Isak made his eagerly awaited Liverpool introduction but it looked as though Arne Slot's side would be disappointed as Atletico came from 2-0 down to level, only for Virgil van Dijk to head a stoppage time winner.

It was an established superstar rather than Liverpool's new faces who provided the inspiration, with Mohamed Salah instrumental as the Premier League champions went 2-0 up inside six minutes.

Salah's free-kick took a decisive deflection off Andrew Robertson to wrong-foot Atletico keeper Jan Oblak after four minutes, before the Egyptian finished off an exchange with Ryan Gravenberch by sliding home a smooth finish.

Atletico pulled one back in first-half stoppage time when Marcos Llorente poked a low shot under keeper Alisson as Liverpool appealed for offside.

The tiring Isak was substituted after 58 minutes as Liverpool continued to dominate and Salah should have added a third, only to strike the post in front of The Kop following good work by Florian Wirtz.

Llorente, who scored twice when Atletico won a Champions League last-16 game at Anfield in March 2020, repeated the trick with a volley that deflected off Alexis Mac Allister nine minutes from time.

Liverpool were not to be denied though and, as in their four Premier League wins this season, they did it again with the clock running down as Van Dijk rose to power home a corner in front of a jubilant Kop.

In the mayhem that followed, Atletico coach Diego Simeone was shown a red card after appearing to get involved in an altercation with supporters behind his technical area.

Alexander Isak got a taste of the attacking riches he will be surrounded by at Anfield, as Liverpool were 2-0 ahead before he even got his first touch in the famous red shirt.

Robertson and Salah put Liverpool in control before a typically resilient Atletico, albeit not the Champions League force they once were, clung on by their fingertips to move within sight of an unlikely point with two goals from Spain midfielder Llorente.

Liverpool were stunned, but they have form for many things this season, spurning two-goal leads against Bournemouth at Anfield and away to Newcastle United before grabbing victory late on.

Isak showed some neat touches and exciting link play before running out of steam, so he was watching from the bench as Liverpool added another chapter to the nights of Champions League drama at Anfield.

As in their four Premier League wins, Liverpool went right to the wire before winning. This time it was captain Van Dijk who was the hero with a towering header in front of The Kop deep into stoppage time.

It was the cue for more wild celebrations.

Slot will have his concerns that Liverpool struggles to hold on to an advantage, but the sheer force of will made this another late, late show at Anfield.

On a night when Isak and another chaotic Liverpool victory might claim top billing, the star turn was a magnificent display from midfield man Gravenberch.

The 23-year-old Netherlands international was a key figure in the 'number six' role as Liverpool won the Premier League at a canter last season and, after missing the opener against Bournemouth at Anfield through suspension, his performances have hit an even higher level this term.

Gravenberch was outstanding in the win at Burnley on Sunday, but was even better against Atletico with a Rolls-Royce display in midfield, marked by some unstoppable surging runs through midfield, crisp tackling and wide range of passing.

The spotlight may shine on others at Liverpool, but no one will underestimate the stellar contribution of Gravenberch in a crucial opening Champions League win.

In this episode, we dive into Liverpool's hard-fought 1-0 win over Burnley in the 2025/26 season. Despite a tough and scrappy match, Jurgen Klopp's men managed to secure all three points thanks to a second-half goal that broke the deadlock. We'll analyze the key moments of the match, from the relentless defensive work to the creativity in attack that eventually led to the winner. Did Liverpool struggle to break Burnley down, or did they simply outlast the visitors' defensive resilience? We'll discuss standout performances, including the vital contributions from key players and the tactical nuances that allowed the Reds to edge out a victory. Was this a sign of Liverpool's growing mental toughness, or just another close call in a season of unpredictable results? Join us for all that and more as we break down the game, the performances, and what this result means for Liverpool's pursuit of the title. It's a podcast for all the die-hard Reds looking for insight and analysis after a crucial 1-0 win! Don't forget to subscribe, leave a review, and let us know your thoughts on this gritty victory. YNWA!

Dominik Szoboszlai's brilliant late free-kick gave Liverpool victory against Arsenal after a hard-fought meeting of the Premier League superpowers at Anfield.

A dour encounter looked to be heading for a draw until the Hungarian curved a magnificent strike past Arsenal keeper David Raya from 30 yards in front of an exultant Kop after 83 minutes.

The Gunners, who kept new £60m signing Eberechi Eze on the bench until the second half, suffered an early setback when key defender William Saliba went off injured after five minutes, to be replaced by summer signing Cristhian Mosquera.

Arteta said after the game that Saliba had twisted his ankle during the warm-up.

Chances were at a premium as both sides showed each other huge respect, although Liverpool had a goal ruled out when striker Hugo Ekitike was adjudged offside after bundling home a finish in front of The Kop.

Liverpool mounted increasing pressure as the second half went on, but it took a stunning moment from Szoboszlai to maintain their winning start to the season and inflict Arsenal's first defeat.

Liverpool go into the international break with maximum points from their three Premier League games - and still without demonstrating the full fluency they showed when they strolled to the title last season.

It is a chilling thought for those, including the Arsenal side beaten at Anfield, who harbour hopes of wrestling away the crown they have now won on 20 occasions.

The art of champions is finding a way and Liverpool have now done it in their first three games, scoring two late goals to beat Bournemouth at Anfield in their opening game, an injury-time winner at Newcastle United, then another victory secured in the closing stages against The Gunners.

In a match that saw both sides cancel each other out for long periods, it was Szoboszlai who proved to be the match-winner with a piece of stunning individual skill that delivered the blow to Arsenal, giving keeper Raya no chance with that late free-kick.

Liverpool now assume the familiar position at the top of the Premier League table, with every intention of adding to their all-powerful squad with the pursuit of Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi to strengthen their defence before Monday's transfer deadline, as well as the ongoing saga of Newcastle United's striker Alexander Isak which could yet see the Swede move to Anfield.

Arsenal will have marked down this early meeting with Premier League champions Liverpool at Anfield as an ideal opportunity to demonstrate this is the season they will finally clear the obstacles to becoming champions.

And while a defeat in their third game of the season is hardly a defining moment, there will be real frustration for manager Mikel Arteta and his players that they came close to securing a draw they would have regarded as a good point, only to leave Anfield empty-handed once more.

Anfield is assuming the status of a bogey ground for Arsenal as they are now winless in their past 13 Premier League games away to Liverpool - drawing five and losing eight - since a 2-0 win in September 2012.

Arsenal were strong in defence throughout but - and this applied to both teams for long periods - they rarely threatened apart from when Noni Madueke forced a first-half save from Liverpool keeper Alisson.

New striker Viktor Gyokeres had a tough 90 minutes against Liverpool defensive pair Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate, although he rarely had decent service.

Arteta chose to keep new signing Eze back until the final 20 minutes, with the former Crystal Palace attacking midfielder showing signs of what he will offer, but ultimately this was more Anfield disappointment for Arsenal.

Liverpool's 16-year-old Rio Ngumoha made history as the youngest scorer in the club's history when he struck with virtually the last kick of a breathless encounter to snatch victory against Newcastle United at a stunned St James' Park.

The atmosphere was red hot, feelings running high after the Reds' lengthy pursuit of the home side's rebel striker Alexander Isak.

And it got the drama it deserved as Newcastle rose off the canvas to rattle the Premier League champions, pulling back to 2-2 after being 2-0 down and despite having Anthony Gordon sent off in first-half stoppage time.

Eddie Howe's men had mounted a frantic early surge on Liverpool's goal but were hit by a sucker punch 10 minutes before the break when Ryan Gravenberch's low shot beat Nick Pope, helped by a slight deflection off Fabian Schar.

A feisty encounter was constantly played on the edge and it boiled over in first-half stoppage time when Gordon, playing up front, was shown a red card by referee Simon Hooper for a rash late challenge on Virgil van Dijk - the decision confirmed after a video assistant referee (VAR) check.

Liverpool stunned the hosts again by doubling their advantage within 30 seconds of the restart when Hugo Ekitike, the striker who snubbed the Magpies to move to Anfield instead, scored with a low, placed right-foot finish.

But, despite being a man down, Newcastle rallied and captain Bruno Guimaraes gave them hope with a diving header at the far post after 57 minutes.

With Liverpool losing their composure under pressure, substitute William Osula got in ahead of Gravenberch to bundle in the equaliser past Alisson after 88 minutes.

Liverpool looked to have thrown away a victory that looked certain in the early moments of the second half - until substitute Ngumoha, at 16 years and 361 days, provided a sensational climax when left unmarked to fire home in the 10th of 11 added minutes.

His winner also made him the fourth youngest scorer in Premier League history, behind James Vaughan, James Milner and Wayne Rooney.

Newcastle had just suffered a painful defeat right at the death - only you would not have known it. Not by the standing ovation the Geordies afforded their exhausted side at full-time.

Newcastle had run the champions mighty close - and the home support recognised that.

After going 2-0 down and with Gordon dismissed, it had previously felt a long way back for the 10 men. The away end even felt emboldened enough to chant about Isak as they asked Newcastle to "hand him over".

Yet the spirited hosts rallied.

Guimaraes' header reignited the stadium as the captain waved his arms up and down and whipped up the fans after pulling a goal back.

Suddenly it felt like Newcastle were playing with a man advantage at a raucous St James' Park as they swarmed Liverpool and made them retreat.

They would lose Sandro Tonali and Joelinton to injury as well, but still, Howe's side kept scrapping as an unlikely scorer stepped up.

Unlikely may seem a strange word to use to describe a striker, but substitute Osula had only previously bagged one top-flight goal for Newcastle, against Ipswich in April, since his arrival from Sheffield United last year.

Liverpool manager Arne Slot was understandably ecstatic when the 16-year-old Ngumoha brought some composure to a wild evening on Tyneside with the calm late finish that gave the Premier League champions a dramatic victory.

It capped a fiery, frenetic encounter that barely let up for a minute, but in which Liverpool cast aside a position of relative comfort to be rocked by 10-man Newcastle, who were backed by a vociferous Toon Army.

Liverpool will take their second successive victory in defence of their crown, but it was also the second time they have given away a two-goal lead, having done the same against Bournemouth in their opening game at Anfield.

As against the Cherries, Liverpool pulled themselves out of trouble late on, but the manner in which they lost their composure so badly, especially with a numerical advantage, will be a serious concern for Slot.

Liverpool were not unsettled by quality football from Newcastle, but by the sheer intensity and force of will from Howe's side.

From looking so calm and measured when winning the title last term, this season they have looked constantly vulnerable in defence, even with the presence of Van Dijk.

The big plus, apart from Ngumoha's effort, was Ekitike scoring for a second successive league game. His clinical low finish showed exactly why Newcastle wanted him so badly before he moved to Liverpool.

Slot will take the victory, but he will have real worries about his side's defensive frailties.

It has got to the stage where Gordon, a winger by trade, has been picked ahead of the Dane in attack. Yet Osula thought he had snatched a point for his side - only for Ngumoha to score a last-gasp winner.

It was a hammer blow for Newcastle, who will somehow have to regroup and lift themselves for a trip to Leeds United on Saturday - and Howe needs a breakthrough in his search for a striker.

Newcastle, after all, are unable to count on one of the world's best centre-forwards in Isak, and will be without the suspended Gordon for the next three games.

Their search for a replacement for Callum Wilson also goes into the final week of the window after bids for Wolves forward Jorgen Strand Larsen and Brentford's Yoane Wissa were rejected.

Late goals from Federico Chiesa and Mohamed Salah gave champions Liverpool a dramatic 4-2 victory over AFC Bournemouth as the 2025/26 Premier League campaign got off to a thrilling start at Anfield.

Hugo Ekitike had a goal and an assist in an impressive Premier League debut to put Arne Slot's team in control, with the forward netting a first-half opener before teeing up Cody Gakpo shortly after the interval.

But Antoine Semenyo single-handedly dragged Bournemouth back into the contest, pulling one back in the 64th minute and then travelling from well inside his own half for a spectacular solo goal 14 minutes from time.

Liverpool were not to be denied, however, as substitute Chiesa reacted quickest to volley home in the 88th minute, restoring the hosts' lead with his first Premier League goal.

Salah's breakaway effort then made certain of the result in stoppage time as Liverpool went top of the early standings, having paid an emotional tribute to their late forward Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva ahead of kick-off.

Both teams went close early on, with Salah's stinging shot working goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic before Semenyo blazed over at the other end after escaping former Bournemouth team-mate Milos Kerkez.

The game was then paused in the 29th minute following a report of discriminatory abuse from the crowd directed towards Semenyo.

Marcus Tavernier scuffed his effort when Bournemouth created another chance against the run of play in the 35th minute, and it proved costly when they fell behind two minutes later.

Ekitike took Alexis Mac Allister's pass in his stride, and after the ball rebounded back to him off Marcos Senesi, the Frenchman applied a cool side-footed finish.

He turned provider as Liverpool doubled their lead in the 49th minute, with Ekitike offloading to Gakpo, who skipped inside from the left to find the bottom-right corner.

Bournemouth, however, refused to lie down and after Semenyo tucked in David Brooks' precise cross to half the deficit, Anfield was stunned into silence when he travelled from midway inside his own half before drilling home the equaliser.

But the Cherries could not quite hold on for a point as Chiesa – who had replaced Florian Wirtz just six minutes earlier – adjusted his body and fired in a superb finish following a goalmouth scramble.

And Liverpool were not done there as Salah raced forward on the counter to collect Wataru Endo's long ball and send a right-footed finish across Petrovic four minutes into added time, capping a magnificent contest on the opening night.

Liverpool became renowned for playing "heavy metal football" under Slot's predecessor Jurgen Klopp, but the Dutchman instilled more control in 2024/25 as his side cruised to the title.

However, with the Reds signing exciting quartet Ekitike, Wirtz, Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong ahead of a possible move for Alexander Isak, some believed more end-to-end encounters were in store at Anfield in 2025/26.

That was certainly the case here. Ekitike produced a statement performance up front, having announced himself to English fans with a fine goal against Crystal Palace in the Community Shield last week.

Ekitike's clever movement caused Bournemouth problems early on as he continually dropped deep to evade the visiting centre-backs. He did exactly that for his goal, turning in a midfield position before gliding into the box and finishing with confidence.

But after the forward combined with Gakpo for the second goal, Liverpool began to look fragile defensively. Ibrahima Konate got nowhere near Brooks in the build-up to Semenyo's first goal, then backed off the Ghanaian as he motored forward for the equaliser.

However, the Reds showed the heart of champions to come back and win a game they had thrown away, even after Slot's surprising withdrawals of Frimpong, Kerkez, Ekitike and Wirtz.

Chiesa's strike spared the hosts' blushes, while Salah's clinching goal made him the first player in Premier League history to net 10 goals on opening weekends..

With Slot's new-look attack purring, they will approach their trip to Newcastle United on 25 August with confidence.

Bournemouth may not have left Anfield with any points, but Andoni Iraola – who expressed frustration with their lack of transfer activity earlier this week – had plenty of positives to take away.

Semenyo's brilliant performance was chief among them, with the winger taking the fight to his former team-mate Kerkez at every opportunity.

For his second goal, the 25-year-old began his run inside his own box and still had the presence of mind to place a fine finish beyond Alisson when he reached the other area.

However, Iraola will have been less impressed by Bournemouth's defensive performance, after they lost four of last season's back five in Kepa Arrizabalaga, Kerkez, Dean Huijsen and Illia Zabarnyi.

Senesi came in at centre-back and made a nervy start, with Liverpool feeling he had denied Ekitike a clear goalscoring opportunity via a handball when the ball bounced off his thigh and on to his arm in the 14th minute.

It was ruled that the action was not a clear handball and that the incident took place too far from the goal to be worthy of a red card, but Senesi was also involved in Ekitike's opener as his weak challenge resulted in the ball bouncing back into the 23-year-old's path for a simple one-on-one finish.

Bournemouth are reportedly close to signing Ben Doak from Liverpool, with Cherries winger Dango Ouattara set to join Brentford, but defensive reinforcements may be Iraola's main focus ahead of hosting Wolverhampton Wanderers in eight days' time.

Liverpool report | Bournemouth report

Arne Slot: "We started the second half really well, being 2-0 up but we were playing against a team that never gives up.

"You have to give credit to them but they faced a team that is very fit as well."

Andoni Iraola: "It has been a very good game of football. They win the points but we did a lot of good things too.

"Even at 1-0 at half time I was really happy. At the end you can't concede four goals but even with at 2-2 it looked like we had energy, but Liverpool when they need it they find the extra energy."

Referee: Anthony Taylor. Assistants: Gary Beswick, Craig Taylor. Fourth official: Farai Hallam. VAR: Michael Oliver. Assistant VAR: Thomas Bramall.

Charles Leclerc has finally taken victory in the Monaco Grand Prix, having enjoyed a mostly serene drive to P1 in front of his home fans despite early drama playing out at the start.

The red flags were thrown before the first lap of the iconic event had even been completed after a huge collision between Sergio Perez's Red Bull and the two Haas cars of Kevin Magnussen and Nico Hulkenberg, putting all three out of the running.

Leclerc led away cleanly when proceedings were restarted – minus Esteban Ocon, who was forced to retire following heavy contact with Alpine team mate Pierre Gasly on Lap 1 – as a race of strategy played out, with all eyes on whether the leading cars would pit or make it to the end of the event.

But throughout it all, the Ferrari driver kept a cool head and remained ahead of his rivals to take his first win on the streets of Monte Carlo, beating his previous best result of P4.

Max Verstappen has returned to winning ways after missing out in Miami by taking victory in the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix, with the Dutchman holding off an exciting late charge from Lando Norris.

After Verstappen built up a solid lead in the early stages following a good launch from pole position, the Red Bull star enjoyed a mostly serene drive around the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari, until Norris's McLaren began to close the gap from P2 as the race reached its latter stages.

A thrilling end to the event ensued as Norris continued to cut into Verstappen's advantage, but a snap of oversteer seemed to take further life out of the McLaren driver's ageing tyres, allowing the Red Bull to hold onto P1 by just 0.725s as the chequered flag was waved.

Despite looking to be on Norris's tail in the fight for P2 earlier in the event, Charles Leclerc had to settle for the final podium position of third in front of Ferrari's home fans, while Oscar Piastri claimed P4 in a solid drive for McLaren.