If this was a night for big statements in the Champions League, Liverpool made one — emphatically. A 2-0 victory not only exorcised some demons from previous European meetings with Real Madrid but underlined why Liverpool and the Spaniards occupy very different positions in the league phase.

Mbappe has scored nine goals in 18 appearances for Madrid since leaving Paris Saint-Germain as a free agent at the end of last season. But he has only one goal in the Champions League for his new club, which has lost three of its five games in the revamped competition.

Still, Mbappe missed a penalty and did not resemble any superstar qualities he's exhibited in years past. Though Mo Salah also botched a penalty for Liverpool, Arne Slot's side won thanks to second-half goals by Alexis Mac Allister and Cody Gakpo.