Real Madrid lost 0-1 at Anfield: Xabi Alonso's limits
Courtois had 8 saves; Liverpool had 17 shots, 9 on target compared to Real's 2; 29 touches in the box unraveled Xabi Alonso's four-man midfield plan.
Losing 1-0 at Anfield was the most comfortable scoreline Real Madrid could have mustered. It softened the surface, but did not mask the reality: Xabi Alonso's system was being ripped apart by Liverpool, and Thibaut Courtois was the only reason it prevented a more crushing defeat.
Statistics reveal the game: Courtois carries the load, Real is harmless
Liverpool had 17 shots, nine of which were on target, compared to just two from Real Madrid. The home team had 29 touches in Real's penalty area, putting constant pressure on the ball. Courtois had to make eight saves to keep the score at a minimum, avoiding a scenario worse than the 2-5 loss to Atletico Madrid.
As Elias Israel observed: “an increasingly good goalkeeper is often a sign of a declining team.” When the goalkeeper is the star player, it is a clear symptom of a dysfunctional operating structure.
Tactics out of sync: four-man midfield plan collapses
The winning plan in El Clásico – four midfielders with Eduardo Camavinga on the right – did not hold up at Anfield. As Joel del Rio noted, Real Madrid almost stopped pressing after 20 minutes and were caught up in the intensity of Arne Slot’s Liverpool.
The worrying thing was not just the performance, but also the way Xabi Alonso responded. He described it as a “balanced game” and the defeat was down to “the details”. However, according to MARCA’s analysis, the numbers contradict that argument: 17 shots to 2, 9 on goal, 29 touches in the box – signs of an uneven game.
The lack of flexibility, no plan B and being predictable in a top match show that Alonso still lacks experience when facing top coaches.
Fixed weaknesses and high balls: disordered defensive organization
Set pieces continued to be a major drawback. The only goal came from a header by Mac Allister – a 1.75m player – which was another warning about the ability to organise space. The image of Vinicius marking Virgil van Dijk at a corner showed the chaos in the division of defensive duties.
The right corridor is deadlocked: Camavinga is out of position, Rodrygo does not make a difference
The right-wing problem has not been solved. As Pablo Polo pointed out, successive experiments have not been effective: Camavinga has been lackluster in his new role, and Rodrygo coming on as a substitute has not improved the situation.
Falling performance curve: worrying signal from individuals
The Bayer Leverkusen-like positive influence is no longer evident in many of Alonso’s players. Dean Huijsen, 20, is a prime example: he makes defensive errors and loses confidence on the ball, which is his forte. Huijsen made 55 passes, the most in the team, but he played it safe, passing more sideways than cutting forward.
The contrast is even more evident when placed next to Real Madrid’s 59% possession. A lot of possession but lacking ideas, lacking threat – that is the exact picture of the attack. Apart from Courtois and the remarkable effort of Bellingham, the team did not leave many bright spots.
A wake-up call for Xabi Alonso
The 1-0 defeat at Anfield was more than just a bad result; it raised questions about Xabi Alonso’s game management and Real Madrid’s true depth. The immediate task: patching up the collective holes in set pieces and high balls, finding a solution on the right flank, restoring the pressing and attacking game plan, and reviving the morale and form of key players.
If the systemic cracks are not addressed promptly, a “sweet” defeat like at Anfield could just be the prelude to a deeper void.