Bellingham: Liverpool 'more up for it than us'

Jude Bellingham said Real Madrid was beaten by the "best performing team in Europe" after Real Madrid's 2-0 defeat to Liverpool, and questioned the holder's attitude after a third loss in five Champions League games.

The 15-time winner is 24th in the 36-team table with three games of the league phase remaining. It runs the risk of failing to make the knockout stages.

Liverpool, by contrast, is flying high at the top of the table with a maximum 15 points from its five games. It is also eight points clear at the summit of the Premier League.

"From the first minute they just took control of the game," Bellingham told TNT Sports on a disappointing return to his native England.

"I just think they were more up for it than us, to be honest, which is really disappointing to say.

"It's a bad result against probably the best-performing team in Europe. It's no disgrace to come here and lose, but we are disappointed in how we performed.

"The important thing is we use it the right way now. We've got three games left in the group, and it's important that we go and try and win all of them to give ourselves the best possible chance in the standings."

Madrid had the chance to level when Kylian Mbappe's penalty was saved by Caoimhin Kelleher.

"He's a wonderful player, but the pressure that he holds, because of how good he is is huge," added Bellingham on Mbappe, who has failed to shine since his much-anticipated move to the Spanish capital.

"The penalty is not the reason why we lost the game. As a collective, we weren't good enough on the night. They performed better than us and it's as simple as that.

"Kylian can keep his head high. I know, for sure, that he will produce many more moments that are huge for this club."

Kelleher's penalty heroics continued his fine form since stepping in to deputize for the injured Alisson Becker.

"In most situations, you think it's probably gonna go in because they have such a great record, but both (Mbappe and Salah) missed. They showed today that they are human beings," said Liverpool boss Arne Slot.

"In Mbappe's situation Kelleher saved it, which made it even more special for us. I don't think there was a situation where he was not outstanding for us."

AFP