Liverpool hopes of a remarkable Champions League comeback ended in another disappointing defeat to Real Madrid on Wednesday.
Karim Benzema - who now has seven goals in eight games against the Reds - netted the winner 11 minutes from time. The result means Jurgen Klopp’s side now have only a Premier League top-four place to play for between now and the end of the season.
But there was plenty that went unnoticed or under the radar during the 90 minutes at the Bernabeu building site.
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Konate questioned
Fair to say Jurgen Klopp was less than impressed as his side tumbled to defeat, remonstrating repeatedly with the fourth official and unenthused by some of the play from his suffering players.
And even Ibrahima Konate, one of the Reds' best on the night, wasn't immune to criticism after directing an aimless pass straight out of play during the second half.
The gesticulation from a bemused Klopp on the touchline could be neatly surmised as being: "What on Earth did you do that for, Ibou?"
Tchouameni targeted
There were notable moments both before and after the game at the Bernabeu. Ahead of kick-off, there was perhaps a sign of things to come for Liverpool when Virgil van Dijk's warm-up was interrupted by colliding with one of the Real Madrid reserve goalkeepers.
And after the final whistle, Klopp pointedly collared home midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni, who had missed the first leg at Anfield and was restricted to just six minutes from the bench in the return.
Few would forgive the Liverpool boss for attempting to persuade the French midfielder that Merseyside is a better destination than Madrid after all.
Officials hoodwinked
If there's one thing Real Madrid know, it's how to win. And they don't mind doing it by any means possible.
Witness the first-half incident in which Mohamed Salah had a mild coming together with his marker Nacho, who nevertheless was left writhing around on the turf in apparent agony and won a free kick as a consequence.
The rueful smile on Salah's face spoke volumes. After all, the Liverpool winger usually needs a lot more than that to be awarded a foul in the Premier League these days.
Say it Laud
A Champions League knockout game between two of Europe's most successful clubs was always going to attract some big names. And former Real Madrid man Michael Laudrup - a one-time Liverpool target in the 1980s - was among several ex-players in the press area very, very high in the Bernabeu stands.
As everyone is painfully aware, the Real Madrid stadium has been undergoing renovation for what has seemed an eternity. And there continue to be teething problems, with the power to the press box lost on several occasions during the match.
And that was after the ECHO was made to travel a labyrinth of seemingly endless tunnels, entrances, stairs and lifts before finally finding the allocated seating. It'll be great when it's finished - should it ever be finished, of course...
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