Courtois’s Heroics Keep Madrid Alive in a Tight Liverpool Showdown

Match context

Real Madrid’s coach Xabi Alonso lauded goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois after the 1-0 defeat to Liverpool at Anfield in the UEFA Champions League, saying the Belgian kept the team in the game and that the match was evenly balanced, decided by small details.

According to the Spanish newspaper AS, Alonso spoke to the media from the mixed zone inside Anfield before his press conference, offering a calm analysis of the loss and noting that his players performed competitively despite errors that gave the edge to the opposition in crucial moments.

In statements to Movistar, he said: "The match was even, especially in the second half during a 15-minute spell we made mistakes and let them benefit from free kicks, corners and direct shots, which pressed us a lot; in the end the goal decided it. It was a strong, intense game, and our level did improve gradually. The small details are what made the difference, and those unnecessary errors cost us the initiative."

He further explained Madrid’s midfield performance, noting that the side struggled to reach the final third as the opponent sat deep, demanding patience and discipline from the midfield to unlock the compact lines.

Alonso also addressed his tactical decision to deploy Eduardo Camavinga in a different role: "We wanted a fourth midfielder. We thought Arda Guler could drop from the wing into the interior to open spaces for Fede Valverde, then we changed the plan because Arda has good distribution from inside. These are decisions made during the match."

Key moments and analysis

Asked about the feeling of defeat, he replied: "It was a balanced game decided by details. At some moment the match tilted in their favor... There are many ways to lose, but today was different from Wanda. The team gave everything, the spirit was positive, and we must improve for the future, because such games will recur. Today we faced the toughest group-stage match in the Champions League."

Regarding the yellow card, he added: "It's the referee's decision... nothing more."

In the post-match press conference, Alonso continued: "I don’t feel Liverpool were stronger physically. The game was fast and high-paced. Perhaps we lacked more threat in the final third. The second half was decided by details, and we began making mistakes. Courtois saved us in several moments, but their goal gave them the edge, and then we struggled to respond. I don’t blame the players; we can make up points in the coming matches."

On Trent Alexander-Arnold, he commented: "It wasn’t an easy game. It was a strong clash at Anfield between two big teams. Arnold tried to showcase his abilities and threat from the right."

As for the lineup, Alonso explained: "These are decisions we make according to the situation. The players who played today are in good form. We’re in November with a tough period ahead. The lineup was suitable for this match, but there are things to improve."

He touched on form fluctuations: "I don’t think we are in a rising-and-falling phase. The Atletico Madrid fixture wasn’t good, but we must maintain consistency. We don’t want to live on waves of brilliance and then dip, because that creates instability. Today we lost a balanced, strong game; we must learn from it."

On why Madrid couldn’t impose control in the final minutes, he said: "We couldn’t break through the last defensive line to create clear chances. We substituted Camavinga due to discomfort. We tried different shapes but lacked some details that decided the matter for them."

About Courtois’ saves: "What worries me is how we learn to face pressure in those moments. We must endure and avoid free kicks or corners. It was a very intense match."

Discussing the midfield’s role in building attacks, he added: "We tried to bring players closer for through passes. Gravenberch was tightly marked by Bellingham. In the first half we improved gradually, but in the final third we lacked more bite."

Alonso also spoke on versatility on the right: "We have players capable of playing in more than one position, like Camavinga, Guler, and Valverde. It depends on the match and the player’s condition. We have multiple options and can adapt our approach so we don’t always rely on a traditional winger, which is a strength we must evaluate in every game."

He concluded with a note on the issues that most concerned the team: "Set-pieces at the start of the second half were a problem. We granted them many opportunities from that side. We could have avoided that. They pressed us and we retreated too much; I wanted us to press them forward, but the errors pushed us back."

On Courtois’ impact, he added: "Courtois saved us more than once, but the goal gave them the edge; we found it hard to turn the tide. I don’t blame the players; we can make up points in the next games."

He also reflected on Gravenberch and the central midfield battle: "We tried to bring players closer for through passes. Gravenberch was closely marked by Bellingham. In the first half we improved gradually, but in the final third we lacked more danger."

Finally, he discussed the balance in positions: "We have players who can play in multiple positions, such as Camavinga, Guler, and Valverde. It depends on the match and player condition. We have options and can vary our approach to avoid over-reliance on a wing, which is a positive that we must assess after every game."

He closed by addressing the main concern: "The early second-half set-pieces were problematic. We gave them too many chances from that zone. It could have been avoided. They pressed us hard and we retreated too much, and I wanted us to push them forward, but the errors forced us back."

To finish with the tactical angle: "Courtois made decisive saves, but we must learn how to handle the pressure in those moments. We must endure and avoid giving away free kicks or corners; it was an extremely intense match."

On the final word about the build-up: "We tried to bring players closer for through passes. Gravenberch was marked by Bellingham. The first half showed progress; the final third needs more bite."

Alonso summarized the defensive and offensive balance: "We must be flexible, rotate positions, and tighten the small details that decide tight games. It’s a long road—the Champions League never really ends with a single whistle."

Punchlines: Sniper-style humor, because even football needs a sharp finish: 1) If patience were a weapon, Alonso just fired a sniper shot—precision wins games, not pretty speeches. 2) They say football is a sprint; this one was a long-range sniper match—one well-placed shot, and the match tilts for good."