Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric has hailed Anfield's atmosphere as "special" after receiving a standing ovation on Tuesday night.
The 37-year-old was instrumental in Carlo Ancelotti's side recovering from a two-goal deficit on Merseyside after both Mohamed Salah and Darwin Nunez struck past Thibaut Courtois inside 14 minutes.
Los Blancos hit back emphatically with five goals as Vincius Jr and Karim Benzema fired braces either side of Eder Militao's header, leaving Jurgen Klopp's side facing an enormous task ahead of next month's visit to the Santiago Bernabeu.
While Viniciuis Jr and Eduardo Camavinga both impressed for the Spaniards, it was Real's old guard of Modric and Benzema who lapped up the plaudits for their displays at Anfield.
The Croatia international received a raucous standing ovation alongside his captain when both players were substituted in the 87th minute.
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Taking to Twitter after the game, the former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder thanked those inside the stadium for the incredible recognition: "Thank you Anfield. Special atmosphere. #Respect."
For Liverpool, the humbling defeat, their biggest on home soil in a European competition, means their hopes of qualifying for next season's Champions League now look best placed to do so by finishing in the Premier League's top four rather than winning a seventh European Cup in Istanbul later this year.
After earning their first league wins of 2023 against Everton and Newcastle United last time out, the Reds visit Crystal Palace on Saturday evening before fixtures against Wolverhampton Wanderers, Manchester United and Bournemouth, before travelling to the Spanish capital on March 15.
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