The Anfield factor was not the vital ingredient that Liverpool ultimately missed most in their attempted comeback against Real Madrid. It was the finish. Jürgen Klopp’s side performed as though the energy of 55,000 fans was behind their backs but a wasteful night in front of goal allowed the Spanish champions to escape the punishment that has befallen so many others. Liverpool’s hopes of another Champions League triumph in Istanbul is over.
A goalless draw was enough to take Zinedine Zidane’s team into a semi-final meeting with Chelsea but Liverpool will rightly ponder what might have been. They had more than enough chances to have added Madrid to their list of great European comebacks but missed them all. Over 180 minutes Madrid defender better and finished better.
Related: Liverpool 0-0 Real Madrid (agg 1-3): Champions League quarter-final – as it happened
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