Mo Salah was guilty of missing Liverpool’s first - and best - chance
(Picture: AFP via Getty Images)Liverpool were left to rue a host of missed chances as they exited the Uefa Champions League at the hands of Real Madrid on Wednesday night.
Jurgen Klopp’s Reds headed into the quarter-final second trailing 3-1 after a first-leg defeat in Madrid, but could count on plenty of experience of famous European comebacks on Merseyside - though this one would have to be masterminded without fans in the stands.
Unfortunately for Klopp, Liverpool’s quality in front of goal did not match their tenacity, with the likes of Mohamed Salah, Gini Wijnaldum and Roberto Firmino all wasting presentable opportunities.
Liverpool dominated the game against a Real side clearly off the pace following injury problems and a draining Clasico victory over Barcelona at the weekend, but could not convert their chances into the goals they needed to turn the tie around.
Zinedine Zidane’s Real were uninspiring at Anfield but dogged in defence despite the absence of captain Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane, with Thibaut Courtois making key saves from Salah, James Milner and Firmino to ensure progress.
The result means Real will face Chelsea in the Champions League semi-finals, while Liverpool must now battle for a Premier League top-four finish to ensure they will be playing in the European Cup next season.
The night was also marred by Real’s team bus being damaged en route to Anfield. Liverpool condemned and apologised for the smashing of a window in coach, while Merseyside Police have launched an investigation into the incident.
