Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema has given his verdict on Liverpool’s defeat in the Champions League.
The Reds lost 5-2 to the La Liga outfit in the last-16 first leg at Anfield on Tuesday night. Benzema scored two goals in the second half to put Madrid in control of the tie.
Liverpool took an early lead with goals from Darwin Nunez and Mohamed Salah. But things unravelled for the Reds with a brace from Vinicius Jr and a header from Eder Militao, as well as the two goals from Benzema.
LIVE COVERAGE: Liverpool vs Real Madrid live score updates and analysis
Speaking after the game, Benzema admitted that Madrid started the match “poorly”, and spoke about the Anfield crowd. The Real Madrid striker explains how he and his team-mates were able to perform a comeback against the Reds.
"We played with personality, we produced goals - we want this Champions League again,” Benzema is quoted telling BBC Sport. “And that produced a match which was lovely to play in and for those who were watching.
"We started a little poorly. We knew that the Anfield fans were going to put us under pressure but after those first 15 minutes we saw the true Real Madrid. Football at this level is hard. They started better than us but this was a big game and we were ready.
"When you know it's a vital game and you're 2-0 down you want more. A goal can change any game and that's what happened from Vinicius Junior today.
“I want to thank our fans here, they were our 12th man all night. We'll need them again in the second leg and we'll need to produce a great match in the Bernabeu."
READ NEXT:
- Liverpool fans react to Thibaut Courtois and Alisson Becker mistakes in Champions League
- Mohamed Salah becomes Liverpool's all-time leading goalscorer in Europe after overtaking Steven Gerrard
- Why Sir Kenny Dalglish placed wreath in front of Real Madrid fans before Liverpool tie
- Steven Gerrard linked with sensational return to management with Paris Saint-Germain
- BT Sport and Jake Humphrey apologise to Liverpool for coverage of chaos in Paris