LIVERPOOL, England — Kylian Mbappe anticipated that his transfer to Real Madrid would finally allow him to secure a Champions League title.
However, after a disappointing 2-0 defeat to Liverpool on Wednesday, the France international and reigning champions find themselves at the risk of an early exit from the prestigious tournament.
The loss places them in a challenging position to advance to the playoffs for the next round of the competition.

Mbappe’s performance at Anfield left much to be desired, as he struggled against a youthful defender and failed to convert a crucial penalty that could have equalized the match.
The World Cup champion appeared significantly outmatched against a Liverpool side that currently dominates both the Premier League and the Champions League this season.
In the first half, he was met with a fierce tackle from 21-year-old right-back Conor Bradley while threatening to score, inciting roars from the home supporters.

Things went from bad to worse for Mbappe after halftime when he was awarded a penalty, which provided a golden opportunity to level the score following Alexis Mac Allister’s opening goal for six-time European champions Liverpool.
Nevertheless, his attempt was denied by Liverpool’s backup goalkeeper, Caoimhin Kelleher.
Although Mohamed Salah also missed a penalty, substitute Cody Gakpo added to Liverpool’s lead, further complicating matters for the Spanish club.

Real Madrid, the record 15-time European Cup winner, is currently sitting 24th in the new 36-team league format of the Champions League.
The top eight teams will progress to the round of 16, while those ranked ninth to 24th must participate in a playoff to secure advancement.
Liverpool’s victory marked a significant achievement for new head coach Arne Slot, allowing him to accomplish something his predecessor Jurgen Klopp never managed—defeating Real Madrid in the Champions League.
Following this win, Liverpool maintains a perfect record in the competition and leads the standings after five matches, as each team competes in eight games during the initial phase.

Looking ahead, Madrid will face Atalanta next month, while Liverpool is set to encounter Girona.