Darwin Nunez provided an audacious flick to open the scoring for Liverpool during their Champions League last-16 first leg against Real Madrid at Anfield this evening.
The hosts made a bright start to the match and capitalised on it after only four minutes to take the lead against their 2021-22 final conquerors.
Mohamed Salah collected the ball on the right flank and took advantage of the space afforded to him by David Alaba to cut inside and thread a pass into the box.
Nunez met the pass with his perfectly-timed run and then provided an impudent finish by flicking the ball past Thibaut Courtois, who went the wrong way.
LIVERPOOL HAVE LIFT-OFF! 💥
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) February 21, 2023
That is just cheeky from Darwin Núñez! 👏#UCL pic.twitter.com/spapaQcfbZ
Nunez had been a doubt for the match after picking up a shoulder injury against Newcastle United at the weekend, but he recovered in time to be named in the starting XI.
Liverpool are looking for revenge on Real Madrid after losing to them in the final last season, when Vinicius Junior scored the only goal of the game in Paris.
That match was overshadowed by major failings from UEFA which led to fans being stuck, crushed and pepper-sprayed outside the stadium as they attempted to get in, causing kickoff to be delayed.
The Anfield crowd made their disdain towards UEFA clear before kickoff, with heavy boos drowning out the governing body's anthem.
Barney Corkhill
