Real Madrid failed to shine at Anfield this Wednesday during Matchday 5 of the Champions League. Missing key players such as Vinícius Júnior, Rodrygo Goes, and Éder Militão, Carlo Ancelotti’s team fell 2-0 to a strong and undefeated Liverpool side in this season’s competition. While the absences were significant, one name seems to bear the brunt of the criticism: Kylian Mbappé.
Deployed in his preferred position on the left flank, the French forward was expected to lead a weakened Madrid attack. However, from the opening minutes, Mbappé disappointed. In the 4th minute, a naive mistake on his part almost cost Real dearly. Outpaced by young Conor Bradley, who was filling in for Trent Alexander-Arnold, Mbappé struggled throughout the first half, failing to pose any real threat.
In the second half, the situation only worsened. Making multiple technical errors and failing to trouble Liverpool’s defense, Mbappé weighed down Real Madrid’s offensive play. The turning point came in the 60th minute when the player missed a crucial penalty. Overconfident, Mbappé saw his attempt saved by Liverpool’s backup goalkeeper—a first for him in the Champions League.
Harsh Criticism
Coralie Salle, a journalist for Le Parisien, did not hold back on social media. She described Mbappé’s performance as “abysmal,” highlighting his misplaced passes, lost balls, and inability to exploit space or make a difference. Comparing his performance to that of Vinícius Júnior, she concluded that the French forward’s impact was non-existent.
A Concerning Situation
This defeat and Mbappé’s disappointing performance reignite questions about his integration and ability to lead Real Madrid in decisive moments. Having joined with the ambition of propelling the club to new heights, the captain…
Leave a Reply