LIVERPOOL, England—Holders Real Madrid produced a stunning comeback from two goals down to earn a devastating 5–2 victory at a shell-shocked Liverpool in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie on Tuesday.
Two goals each from Vinicius Jr. and Karim Benzema turned what had looked like being an unpleasant evening for Real into a stylish romp that left Juergen Klopp’s side flat on the canvas and facing a monumental task to reach the quarter finals.
It was Liverpool’s heaviest home defeat in Champions League history, eclipsing a 3–0 loss to the same opponents in 2014.
In a re-run of last year’s final, the first half was played at a ferocious pace, with the hosts racing into a fourth-minute lead through a superb Darwin Nunez flick—the quickest goal Liverpool have ever scored at Anfield in the Champions League….