Liverpool, as expected at Anfield, made the early running with Thibaut Courtois denying Mohamed Salah inside two minutes then pushing James Milner’s curling effort away.
Karim Benzema’s deflected drive struck the post from a rare Madrid counter before Georginio Wijnaldum blazed over another presentable chance for the hosts before the break.
Courtois was forced into action by Roberto Firmino at the start of the second period too but, in truth, the Belgian goalkeeper was seldom troubled thereafter as Zinédine Zidane’s well-drilled defence quelled Liverpool’s advances.
Liverpool had enough opportunities to stage another memorable Anfield fightback but – not for the first time this season – their cutting edge deserted them. They can have no complaints about two legs, though. Real were simply too strong for Jürgen Klopp’s team and deserve their place in the last four.
As professional as they come from Madrid, who were rarely tested by Liverpool, who were profligate throughout. The first-leg performance was more than good enough to see the 13-time winners through and you have to say that playing this way, you’d be brave to bet against them making it 14.
• Liverpool have won only two of their last 14 fixtures against Spanish clubs (D3 L9).
• This was only the second time the Reds had failed to score in 16 UEFA Champions League matches at Anfield.
• Madrid have now won 16 of their 17 UEFA Champions League knockout round ties when winning the first leg by two goals or more.
• Madrid failed to score for the first time in 24 UEFA Champions League knockout phase matches.
• Thibaut Courtois made his 50th appearance in the UEFA Champions League (group stage to final).
UEFA
