Liverpool threw away a two nil lead at Anfield to lose 5-2 to defending champions Real Madrid. Liverpool were off to a flying start after Darwin Nunez scored with an audacious flick.
Mo Salah scored inside 15 minutes after a Thibault Courtois blunder to make it two nil.
Vinicius Junior’s brilliant 21st-minute strike pulled a goal back before Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson followed Courtois’ lead by hacking a clearance straight at the Brazilian.
Liverpool melted in the second half after Eder Militao headed in Luka Modric’s free-kick. Real then rammed home their superiority as Karim Benzema’s shot deflected in off Joe Gomez, the French striker then coolly adding a fifth after more brilliant work by the ageless Modric.
Klopp will no doubt invoke the spirit of Barcelona in the 2019 Champions League semi-final – when Liverpool overcame a 3-0 first-leg deficit to advance with a stunning 4-0 win at Anfield .