by Paul Giblin

MADRID, Nov. 5 (Xinhua) -- Real Madrid may be five points clear at the top of La Liga, but its 1-0 defeat away to Liverpool on Tuesday showed that Xabi Alonso's side still has work to do to be a serious Champions League contender.

While Liverpool has been inconsistent in the Premier League this season as manager Arne Slot integrates new signings, his team delivered a commanding performance at a packed Anfield.

Liverpool repeatedly pierced the Real Madrid defense to create clear-cut chances, forcing goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois into a performance that made him seem nearly unbeatable.

In the past, opponents have missed chances against Madrid only to be punished by a moment of magic from Vinicius Jr. or Kylian Mbappe. That did not happen at Anfield.

Alexis Mac Allister's 61st-minute header decided the game, rewarding the intensity Liverpool produced from start to finish - an intensity Madrid could not match.

Madrid's key attackers were marginalized. Vinicius was nullified and visibly frustrated by an excellent performance from Liverpool right back Conor Bradley, who earned chants from the Anfield crowd.

Bradley was one of Liverpool's standout players. One can only imagine the thoughts of Trent Alexander-Arnold, who left Anfield for Madrid last summer and returned to a muted reception. His mural had been vandalized, and he was limited to a nine-minute substitute appearance in which every touch was booed by his former fans.

Last season, a 2-0 Champions League group-stage win for Liverpool over Madrid at Anfield helped ignite its Premier League title charge and signaled the end for then-coach Carlo Ancelotti.

This 1-0 result could have a similar galvanizing effect for a Liverpool side chasing Arsenal. ■