By SCM Sports Stringer I Wednesday, Nov.05, 2025
ANFIELD, Liverpool – XABI ALONSO’S heroic return to Anfield ended in pure agony last night as Mo Salah ripped up the script to snatch a famous win for Liverpool.
The Real Madrid gaffer, still a God on the Kop, could only watch in horror as the Egyptian King pounced in the 88th minute to send Arne Slot’s men into orbit.
This Champions League blockbuster was heading for a gritty stalemate until the Reds’ main man did what he does best.
New-boy Florian Wirtz, who ran his socks off all night, whipped in a devil of a cross.
Real’s defence went to sleep, and Salah was there, ghosting in at the back post to volley home a thunderous winner.
Anfield absolutely erupted.
For Alonso, it was a brutal homecoming. He got a huge cheer before kick-off, but the love-in ended there.
His galacticos, boasting England’s own Jude Bellingham and French flyer Kylian Mbappé, were left stunned.
They knew they’d been in a proper scrap.
And they will be having nightmares about one man – Alisson Becker.
The Reds’ bearded stopper pulled off a save-of-the-season contender on the hour mark.
Mbappé was put clean through and looked certain to score, but the big Brazilian made himself massive, pulling off a miraculous point-blank stop.
Bellingham fluffed a golden chance himself, nodding over from six yards when it looked easier to score.
Liverpool boss Arne Slot was bouncing at the final whistle.
The Dutchman beamed: “The boys were brilliant. That is a top, top side, and we gave everything.
”The atmosphere was electric. Xabi is a legend here, and he’s a top manager, but tonight, the points are ours.”
A gutted Alonso admitted: “This is a special place. I am happy to be back, but not with this result.
”We had our chances. We didn’t take them. This is Anfield. You pay for that.”
It’s a massive three points for the Reds, who sent the Spanish giants packing and proved they are still the real deal on the biggest stage of all.
