Liverpool on Brink of UCL Exit after Real Madrid Thrashing

Liverpool's Champions League dreams were crushed after a 5-2 loss to Real Madrid. Will they be able to make a comeback in the second leg?

Heartbroken! Liverpool players drop heads as Real Madrid celebrate in the background after a 5-2 rout at Anfield on Tuesday. (Photo credit: UCL)

If you live in Nigeria or stay a bit close to African economic news, you’d understand the phenomenon of the new Naira dynamics, where Nigerians spend Naira to buy Naira. Something similar happened to Liverpool on Tuesday in the Champions League, as they conceded five after going two up.

The Kop were thought to have turned a corner after an indifferent start in the Premier League.

But they’re now on their way out of the elite competition, which they would have to sweat to return to going by their league standing.

Darwin Nunez scored a beauty to put the hosts in front, and it all looked like the long-awaited revenge was finally going to land.

A rare Thibaut Courtois error handed Mohammed Salah the second goal of the night, and Anfield was rocking.

It was only the second time Courtois had given up a goal in a Champions League game because of a mistake he made.

And it was also a record-equaling goal for the Egyptian, who has now gone level with Chelsea legend Didier Drogba on 42 Champions League goals by an African.

That’s where it stopped for Liverpool on the night, as a Vinicius Jr. masterclass took centre stage from there on.

The Brazilian scored twice in the first half to level matters and send both teams into the dressing room as they were at the beginning.

The Brazilian defender Eder Militao added the third, and Karim Benzema scored twice too to complete the route and put Liverpool on the edge of elimination.

"I've played very little in this Champions League," Benzema said. "I have to help my team with goals and assists.

I played a good game. I had a lot of games last season, and I had an injury at the World Cup. It's always difficult to get to your top level, but little by little, I'm getting better."