Champions League: Liverpool thrash Real Madrid as Juventus hold A’Villa

Liverpool thrashed title-holders Real Madrid 2-0 to maintain a perfect record in this season’s Champions League on Wednesday, while Aston Villa were held to a frustrating goalless draw with Juventus.

The showdown at Anfield saw Real Madrid attempting to extend a run of eight games unbeaten against Liverpool.

However, Liverpool were too strong, with Alexis MacAllister putting them ahead early in the second half.

Kylian Mbappe endured a frustrating night and squandered a chance to equalise for Madrid after an hour when his penalty was saved.

Mohamed Salah then missed from the spot at the other end but substitute Cody Gakpo headed in Liverpool’s second goal on 76 minutes.

They are the sole side with five wins from five in this new-look Champions League and are now guaranteed to advance at least to the knockout phase play-offs in February.

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Real have lost three of their five matches and with six points they are currently 24th, the very last qualifying spot for the knockout phase.

Inter Milan sit second on 13 points, followed by Barcelona and Borussia Dortmund each on 12, with the Germans winning 3-0 against Dinamo Zagreb in Croatia.

A great goal by English youngster Jamie Gittens gave Dortmund a first-half lead before Ramy Bensebaini headed in on 56 minutes and substitute Serhou Guirassy sealed the win late on.

Aston Villa started with three straight victories in the Champions League but were six matches without a win in all competitions before hosting Juventus.

The game ended 0-0, with the English side denied in stoppage time when a Morgan Rogers goal was disallowed for a foul on goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio.

Villa are just outside the top eight places offering direct access to the last 16, as one of seven teams on 10 points with three fixtures remaining.

Monaco also missed the chance to cement their top-eight spot as they went down 3-2 at home to Benfica in a dramatic game.

Lille closed in on securing at least a play-off spot as they won 2-1 in Italy against Bologna, who remain winless.

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Celtic and Club Brugge remain on course for the play-offs after drawing 1-1 in Glasgow, Daizen Maeda’s superb strike earning the Scottish champions a point after they had fallen behind to a farcical Cameron Carter-Vickers own goal.

Red Star Belgrade got their first points by coming from behind to hammer Stuttgart 5-1 in Serbia.

Austrian champions Sturm Graz are also off the mark after beating Girona 1-0 with a Mika Biereth goal.

The Star