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Conor Bradley basked through the passionate backing of Anfield's adoration, while Trent Alexander-Arnold – the local boy who left Liverpool behind – was given a brutal and hostile reminder of his fall from grace.

Conor Bradley had been identified to fill the void left ever since he announced his decision to move on from the Reds towards the Spanish giants, when destiny brought these continental giants together in the Champions League, the stage was set.

A dramatic comparison emerged with the Northern Irish defender from Northern Ireland was the shining symbol during the Reds' showing that harked back to their Premier League title-winning best while Real Madrid were overwhelmed.

The substitute Alexander-Arnold from the sidelines, all the while was left an unmistakable indication of the crowd that used to celebrate about 'the Scouser in our team' now regard him.

The occasion proved marked by continuous negativity targeted at Alexander-Arnold, including his Anfield mural damaged with the words "Adios El Rata" before the game plus the crowd's rage caused by behavior which supporters consider as a breach of trust.

The young defender amplified the rage and criticism directed towards Trent with a magnificent display which minimized the threat of Brazilian star to an observer, limited to dramatic actions – ineffective dramatics – in the face of Bradley's commanding presence.

Every Bradley tackle received roaring approval, each distribution met with Anfield's approval, his name chanted passionately, both for his display plus an audible message for Alexander-Arnold announcing a fresh face on the scene, that he was now firmly from a previous era.

Bradley, unsurprisingly, even won the admiration from manager Arne Slot.

The defender was magnificent, he said. To be up against Vinicius in numerous individual duels tests any defender, but he was outstanding.

Had the graffiti displayed on Trent's public artwork failed to warn him of what was awaiting him, he received clear confirmation during his warm-up to warm-up as one of the visiting team's reserves before kick-off, jeers ringing around Anfield, the sound of disapproval occurring once more during was read out.

And just when it looked he would miss the complete hostility, the visiting team's manager introduced him as a second-half change as they tried to level Liverpool's lead, justly achieved through Mac Allister's headed goal early in the second half.

Reception for the substitute was savage, plus sarcastic shouts that greeted a late cross that drifted aimlessly out of play.

Trent's disappointing appearance happened during of Liverpool's fans reminding him players who remained faithful despite temptations and opportunities to leave Anfield, namely former captain Steven Gerrard, who watched on from the stands.

The evening belonged to Liverpool, Bradley's night – the sort of night Anfield revels in as the presence of their former star acted as an even more potent catalyst to amplify the support.

And Liverpool, who had looked lost after multiple losses prior to defeating Villa on Saturday, produced a showing which ranked among their finest during this campaign, an important demonstration of the quality that saw them stroll to the title.

Slot relished Liverpool's return to victory, commenting: It is nicer if you win games rather than losing matches. Defeats consume all of your time since you desperately need to improve the situation, yet you attempt to stay consistent and personality when you are winning.

It was only the shadow from the exceptional goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois that threatened denied the Reds the justified outcome, with a stunning individual performance which recalled previous encounters where he stopped them when Jurgen Klopp's team lost the continental decider in the French capital.

Courtois produced several outstanding stops, including four from Dominik Szoboszlai and an amazing instinctive block from the defender's headed attempt, before finally being beaten from Mac Allister's headed goal after the midfielder's delivery.

The slim winning difference barely represents their domination from first whistle to last, this significant victory pushing them into sixth place in the Champions League table, a position that should secure in the last 16 without the need to resort for additional matches if sustained.

Szoboszlai and Mac Allister ruled the engine room, while Florian Wirtz provided creative flourishes during his German career. Ekitike posed continuous threats during the game.

Liverpool were, unlike so often earlier shows, completely secure at the back as Kylian Mbappe was marginalised, delivering a dreadful, error-strewn display. The Brazilian was defeated by Bradley long before the end.

While proving a difficult evening for Trent, it was not much better for Bellingham, presented with the Anfield platform to showcase once more his ability before England head coach announces his team to face Serbia and Albania following his previous omission.

He provided one moment of danger in the first half when he forced Giorgi Mamardashvili to save with his legs, but offered little else {as Real failed to establish|