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Conor Bradley basked by the full force of the home crowd's love, while Trent Alexander-Arnold – the Scouser who left Liverpool behind – faced a harsh and unwelcome reception regarding his changed status.

The young defender was marked to fill the void left from the moment he announced his decision to exit Anfield to join Real Madrid, as luck would have it both elite clubs face-to-face in Europe, the stage was set.

A dramatic comparison emerged with the Northern Irish Northern Ireland right-back was the shining symbol in a Liverpool performance that harked back of their championship form as Real Madrid were swept aside.

The substitute Alexander-Arnold on the bench, all the while was left in no doubt how the supporters who previously chanted about 'the Scouser in our team' now regard him.

The occasion proved marked by continuous negativity directed towards the defender, starting with his public artwork defaced displaying critical phrases prior to kickoff to the Anfield anger provoked by what many Liverpool fans regard as disloyalty.

Conor Bradley intensified the rage and criticism directed towards Trent through an outstanding performance that reduced the formidable Brazilian star to an observer, limited to dramatic actions – unconvincing antics – in the face of the youngster's physical dominance.

Each defensive challenge was cheered to the echo, every pass greeted by positive reactions, supporters singing enthusiastically, both for his display plus an audible message to Alexander-Arnold that a new talent had emerged at the club, establishing him as a figure from the past.

Naturally, the defender, even won the admiration from manager Arne Slot.

Conor Bradley was outstanding, commented Slot. Competing with the Brazilian so many times one against one proves challenging for most, but he handled it superbly.

Had the graffiti displayed on Trent's public artwork did not make him aware of what was awaiting him, he was left in no doubt when he trotted on to warm-up as one of Real Madrid's substitutes ahead of the game, negative reactions filling the air, the sound of disapproval occurring once more during announced.

At the moment when 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, rightfully earned by Mac Allister's headed goal early in the second half.

Reception for the substitute proved brutal, as were the mocking jeers after an errant pass which sailed harmlessly beyond the boundary.

Alexander-Arnold's unhappy cameo happened during the crowd referencing of those who had stayed loyal through potential moves to exit the club, namely former captain Steven Gerrard, present in the crowd.

This was Liverpool's night, the defender's showcase – exactly the type of occasion the stadium loves amid the comeback of their past hero acted as an even more potent catalyst to turn up the volume.

The team, earlier inconsistent after multiple losses until their recent victory on Saturday, produced a showing that was easily their best in recent months, a crucial indication of the standard that helped them secure the trophy.

The coach enjoyed the comeback to winning ways, saying: Victories bring greater satisfaction rather than losing matches. If you lose, then it takes all of your time since you desperately need to reverse the trend, yet you attempt to be the same manager and personality during successful periods.

It was only the shadow of brilliant Real keeper Courtois who nearly prevented Liverpool from achieving their deserved result, with a stunning individual performance that revived memories when he frustrated them in the previous final loss the continental decider in Paris.

Courtois produced several outstanding stops, including four from Dominik Szoboszlai and an amazing instinctive block from the defender's headed attempt, until eventually he couldn't prevent by the Argentine's aerial finish following Szoboszlai's set-piece.

The close scoreline does not touch the sides of their domination from first whistle to last, these crucial three points elevating them to sixth in the tournament ranking, a position that should secure knockout stage advancement eliminating the necessity of extra games if continued.

The midfield duo dominated midfield, with Wirtz contributing some of the subtle touches that made his name at Bayer Leverkusen. Hugo Ekitike was a constant menace throughout the match.

The team, differing from typical earlier shows, completely secure defensively while Mbappe became ineffective, producing a poor, mistake-filled performance. Vinicius was outperformed by Bradley long before the end.

Although representing a tough occasion for Alexander-Arnold, the situation proved similarly challenging for the English midfielder, offered the Anfield stage to showcase once more his ability ahead of the national team manager Thomas Tuchel names his squad in the coming matches after excluding him last time.

He provided one moment of danger in the first half making the goalkeeper save to make a leg stop, but offered little else {as Real failed to establish|