Liverpool need to replace four stars as Real Madrid expose huge issues

Defensive weaknesses exposed

Van Dijk may be fit again but defensive weaknesses are still clearly there in the Liverpool back line. The Reds kept back-to-back clean sheets against Everton and Newcastle but made it far too easy for Real.

Carlo Ancelotti’s side are not a team you want to gift goals to. Vinicius Junior’s first goal was a fine strike and perhaps unavoidable.

But his second was a huge error from Alisson. Gomez then gave away a needless free kick just after half-time and no one tracked Eder Militao who headed in to put the visitors in the lead for the first time.

Liverpool started the match like a train. But they cannot afford to defend as they did on an occasion such as this against an opposition like Real.

UEFA feel Liverpool wrath

UEFA may have now absolved Liverpool fans from any blame for the chaos at last season’s Champions League final. But Reds supporters have certainly not forgotten or forgiven the governing body of European football.

UEFA conducted their own report and admitted they were to blame for the security failures at the Parc des Princes in Paris. But that is not enough for many Liverpool fans.

Home supporters at Anfield certainly made their feelings clear on Tuesday. They booed throughout the Champions League anthem, sang ‘f*** UEFA’ and held banners showing their anger towards the organisation.

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