Sadio Mane levelled the scoring at 1-1 in the 55th minute after tapping home following a header from Dejan Lovren                                                                                                                                                         Liverpool had by far the better of the game's opening. On 11 minutes, a Salah flick and cushioned header by Roberto Firmino allowed Terence Alexander-Arnold to sprint through on goal which required Keylor Navas to race from his line to smother.

When Dani Carvajal sent an attempted cross field pass straight out for a corner on 17 minutes, it seemed to represent the minor panic induced in Real Madrid by Liverpool's sheer ferocity. From the corner, Virgil van Dijk headed just over. Better would follow on 22 minutes, when Firmino's shot was deflected into the path of Alexander-Arnold. His strike, firm and low, forced a fine save from Navas.

However, on 28 minutes came the most grievous of blows for Liverpool. Two minutes, in a tussle with Sergio Ramos, Salah had been crushed and emerged clutching his shoulder. He winced but played on and the Liverpool fans felt reprieved. Yet two minutes later he simply dropped to his knees, seemingly in tears and holding that injured shoulder. It was clear what it meant. He walked off, sobbing, distraught and straight into the arms of a Klopp bear hug, as Adam Lallana came on.

Real Madrid would suffer their own setback, though hardly as significant. Carvajal had received treatment on an ankle in the warm up. Now, 37 minutes into the half, it gave up on him, collapsing as he ran. Again, he held his head, tears flowed and his final finished as Nacho took his place.