Sitting top of the Premier League after 12 games and the Champions League group after five games — unbeaten against the likes of Chelsea, Arsenal, AC Milan, Bayern Leverkusen,and Real Madrid — there is justified confidence that Arne Slot’s side look the real deal.

Real Madrid are the team that Liverpool have lost most often against in European competition (7). Indeed, among sides they’ve faced 5+ times in Europe, they’re also the opponent they have lost the highest percentage of their games against (64% - seven losses in 11 games).

Kylian Mbappe hoped his move to Real Madrid would finally see him end his wait to win the Champions League. Instead, the France international and defending champion Madrid are in danger of being eliminated from European club soccer's elite tournament at the first stage after Wednesday's 2-0 loss to Liverpool leaves them in a fight just to make the playoffs for the next round.