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Liverpool player ratings vs Real Madrid: 10/10 steals the show and 9/10s dished out in win
LIVERPOOL 1-0 REAL MADRID: Arne Slot’s side were in Champions League action on Tuesday evening.
Liverpool hosted Real Madrid in the Champions League on Tuesday
Liverpool produced another famous victory against Real Madrid in the Champions League as Alexis Mac Allister scored the only goal in an enthralling game. The 2022 World Cup winner headed in the winning goal just after the hour mark as he got on the end of a delivery from the excellent Dominik Szoboszlai.
Liverpool heaped the pressure on Madrid throughout the match as they dominated the Spanish giants from start to finish. But Real stayed in the game as Thibaut Courtois made a string of incredible saves. The Reds ultimately saw out the win, with Trent Alexander-Arnold being booed by some fans on his return to Anfield. And Express Sport runs the rule over the Liverpool players.
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Giorgi Mamardashvili: 7
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Was a spectator for much of the match but was alert to the danger as Real hit the target for the first time just before the interval. Had his defence to thank for a relatively quiet evening.
Conor Bradley: 9
Had the unenviable task of trying to stop Vinicius Junior and was spoken to the ref early on after one foul. But stood up to the challenge well and produced one of his best ever Liverpool performances when it mattered. Pushed forward well to help out the attack at times.
Ibrahima Konate: 7
Looked shaky at times against some of the best attackers in the world, but held his own as the Reds showed why Anfield is such a difficult place to visit.
Virgil van Dijk: 8
Used every ounce of his experience to impact the match in a positive way. It’s not often the Real attackers are thwarted for a full 90 minutes. Nearly opened the scoring at the other end as well.
Andy Robertson: 8
Was picked ahead of Milos Kerkez at left-back and showed his quality as the Reds defence looked unified and solid. Still full of energy and should be a regular starter.

Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois was in inspired form against Liverpool (Image: Getty)
Ryan Gravenberch: 8
Was pulled over to the Liverpool right to lend a hand to Conor Bradley against Vinicius Junior and helped nullify the Brazilian’s threat. Dominated the midfield battle more and more as the match went on.
Alexis Mac Allister: 7
Had the chance to put Liverpool ahead 10 minutes into the game after being picked out by Szoboszlai but fired his effort high over the bar. Then fizzed an effort at goal just before the interval. Finally put his side ahead with his first goal of the season.
Mohamed Salah: 6
Hit the back of the net at the weekend following a slow start to the campaign. But struggled to find space against Real and lacked creativity. Should have scored late on and has nowhere near the impact he had last season.
Dominik Szoboszlai: 10
Produced another incredible performance in a Liverpool shirt as he bossed the match from start to finish. Forced two outstanding saves from Courtois before half time and put in the delivery for Mac Allister’s goal. Created chances, worked his socks off and inspired his team-mates. Should be a future captain.
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Florian Wirtz: 8
Had plenty of energy as he tried to make things happen in the final third. Was a menace throughout and will be a success at Anfield once he finds his feet in the Premier League.
Hugo Ekitike: 9
Started up front once again in the absence of Alexander Isak. Was clattered by Dean Huijsen just before the break and was then thwarted by Courtois after the interval. A fantastic striker who held the ball up well and threatened more as the match progressed. He’ll be hoping to bag plenty of goals throughout the season.
Substitutes
Curtis Jones: 6
Came on for Alexis Mac Allister late on as Liverpool attempted to see out the win.
Cody Gakpo: 6
Was unlucky not to start but only got 11 minutes of match action. Almost added a second late on.
Federico Chiesa: 6
Replaced Florian Wirtz with moments to go.
Milos Kerkez: 6
Was brought on for Andy Robertson but will struggle to win his starting place back.
Mikel Arteta could start 16-year-old in third-ro
Arsenal are expected to rotate when they travel to take on Portsmouth in the FA Cup.
It is the first of four away games in four competitions in the space of nine days and Mikel Arteta is set to make use of the strong squad available to him.
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That could mean a first start for Eberechi Eze since the Carabao Cup win over Crystal Palace last month, while Noni Madueke is also in contention to come into the side.
Arsenal hope to have Kai Havertz in the squad but he is not believed to be ready to start, so Gabriel Jesus will likely lead the line unless Arteta opts to keep trying to play Viktor Gyokeres into form.
The Gunners will again be without Riccardo Calafiori, with Arteta confirming that this match will be “too early” for him.
Piero Hincapie is also a major doubt, having gone off against Liverpool with a suspected hamstring injury. He was due to undergo scans on Friday.
“We have to see the extent of what happened to Piero,” Arteta said.
“He could not carry on in the second half, so I don’t know exactly what it is.”
That leaves Myles Lewis-Skelly as the obvious starter at left-back and there could be an opportunity for 16-year-old Marli Salmon if Arteta decides to rest one of Gabriel or William Saliba.
Kepa will start in goal, as he has been doing in the Carabao Cup, and the likes of Christian Norgaard and Mikel Merino are options in midfield.
Ethan Nwaneri will hope for some minutes, even off the bench. He has not featured since the win over Club Brugge a month ago.
Predicted Arsenal XI (4-3-3): Kepa; White, Saliba, Salmon, Lewis-Skelly; Norgaard, Merino, Eze; Madueke, Jesus, Martinelli
Injured: Calafiori, Mosquera, Dowman
Doubts: Hincapie, Havertz
Time and date: 2pm GMT on Sunday, January 11, 2026
How to watch: TNT Sports
Venue: Fratton Park
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Arsenal injury, suspension list and return dates vs. Portsmouth: Piero Hincapie, Riccardo Calafiori, Cristhian Mosquera latest
Arsenal will begin their bid to win the FA Cup for the 15th time in their history when they travel to Fratton Park for Sunday’s meeting with Championship strugglers Portsmouth.
The Gunners missed the chance to further extend their six-point lead at the top of the Premier League table in Thursday’s underwhelming goalless draw against Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium.
While their five-game winning league run came to an end, Mikel Arteta will be pleased with the fact that his side are now unbeaten in seven competitive matches ahead of Sunday’s cup tie and Wednesday’s EFL Cup semi-final first leg against Chelsea.
Here, Sports Mole rounds up all of Arsenal’s latest injury and suspension news ahead of the clash with Portsmouth, who are languishing in 21st spot in the Championship standings.
Piero Hincapie
Status: Major doubt
Type of injury: Muscle
Possible return date: January 11 (vs. Portsmouth)
Hincapie was forced off with what appeared to be a muscle problem in the 57th minute of Thursday’s draw with Liverpool. Arteta now faces a nervous wait to discover the full extent of the defender’s injury.
Kai Havertz
Status: Minor doubt
Type of injury: Match fitness
Possible return date: January 11 (vs. Portsmouth)
Havertz has recovered from the knee injury that kept him out of action for months. However, he has been left out of Arsenal’s last two matchday squads as he continues to build up his fitness. There is a possibility that the forward could make his first appearance since August in Sunday’s FA Cup clash.
Riccardo Calafiori
Status: Out
Type of injury: Muscle
Possible return date: January 14 (vs. Chelsea)
Calafiori has sat out Arsenal’s last four matches with a muscle injury. The defender is making progress in his recovery, but he is not expected to be ready for the upcoming trip to the south coast.
Cristhian Mosquera
Status: Out
Type of injury: Ankle
Possible return date: January 14 (vs. Chelsea)
Like Calafiori, Mosquera is closing in on a return to action after missing over a month of action due to an ankle injury. However, the former Valencia defender will not be available for selection this weekend.
Max Dowman
Status: Out
Type of injury: Ankle
Possible return date: Unknown
Max Dowman is likely to be out until February after sustaining an ankle problem while playing for Arsenal Under-21s in last month’s behind-closed-doors friendly against Manchester United.
ARSENAL’S SUSPENSION LIST
Arsenal have no players suspended for the third-round tie.
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Arsenal remain in the driving seat to clinch the Premier League title crown this season – and they could strengthen Mikel Arteta’s squad to bolster their chances.
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Whether or not the right players are out there remains to be seen, but with Arteta enduring several injury blows already this season – particularly in defence – the manager will be keeping a close eye on potential targets.
The Gunners splashed the cash in the summer, bringing in the likes of Viktor Gyokeres, Eberechi Eze, Martin Zubimendi, Noni Madueke, Piero Hincapie and Cristhian Mosquera to the Emirates Stadium – so a loan deal might favour the club
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There could also be high-profile exits, both loans and permanent deals, with young midfield talent Ethan Nwaneri linked with an exit. Other youngsters could also make loan moves to get a taste of first-team football.
With that said, football.london takes a closer look at all the moves completed by Arsenal so far this January.
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