Anfield on Wednesday evening, as Cristiano Ronaldo continued
his superb run of form.
The Portugal international netted for the 20th time in 13
appearances this season to open the scoring, and subsequently
moved within one of former Real stalwart Raul's Champions
League competition record of 71 goals.
While the European champions' first featured slick passing and
world-class finish, Liverpool were the architects of their own
downfall from there as Karim Benzema twice capitalised on
slack defending to net a double before half-time.
It was a matter of damage limitation for Liverpool after that,
with the Premier League side playing out a spirited second half
without a recognised striker.
Real retained their menace throughout but were able to leave
plenty in reserve for Saturday's mouthwatering El Clasico
showdown with arch-rivals Barcelona.
Under-fire forward Mario Balotelli retained the faith of home
manager Brendan Rodgers and the enigmatic Italian passed up
the chance to play through Raheem Sterling when Isco lost
possession in the second minute.
Ronaldo then thundered an early drive into the chest of Simon
Mignolet, while there were awkward moments for the Liverpool
goalkeeper's opposite number.
Iker Casillas parried the ball clear when a long-range Steven
Gerrard strike dipped awkwardly and the experienced shot-
stopper then showed poor handling from a 13th-minute corner
Casillas and Madrid's travelling fans had their nerves settled,
though, when Ronaldo opened the scoring in superb fashion
after 23 minutes.
Having exchanged passes with Benzema, the Ballon d'Or holder
charged onto a chipped return ball from James Rodriguez to
sweep home on the half-volley.
And Liverpool had a mountain to climb with half an hour
played, as Benzema looped a header beyond Mignolet on the
end of Toni Kroos' floated cross.
A rare moment of indecision allowed Glen Johnson to deny
Ronaldo five minutes before half-time but woeful defending
from the resulting corner sealed Liverpool's fate.
Pepe knocked down Kroos' delivery and the ball squirmed
beyond Mignolet and flailing Liverpool legs to leave Benzema
with a simple tap-in.
The recalled Joe Allen side-footed wide and fellow midfielder
Philippe Coutinho clattered a shot against the post from
distance, but Liverpool could not grasp a lifeline before half-
time.
Balotelli exchanged shirts with Pepe at the interval and it was his
last act, as Adam Lallana replaced the former Manchester City
man for the start of the second period.
Liverpool attacked in spirited fashion upon the resumption,
although a vital challenge from Martin Skrtel to stop a storming
run from Isco demonstrated the perils they still faced against a
counter-attacking Real.
Skrtel was caught napping by a rampaging Ronaldo in the 62nd
minute and Mignolet got behind a firmly struck shot, before
denying the same player from close range as Real sliced through
the home defence once more.
Sterling kept Casillas involved at the other end and Allen
scrambled a shot wide in the 72nd minute before Benzema and
Rodriguez combined incisively for the latter to steer wide in
front of the Kop.
Three wins from three means Real's passage from Group B is
already virtually assured, while Liverpool must bounce back
from consecutive defeats to overhaul second-placed Basel.
Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless handheld from Glo Mobile.
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