Serial winners Real Madrid, on Wednesday, put up in a masterful display of games management to hold Liverpool to a 0-0 draw at Anfield and book their place in the semi-finals of this season’s UEFA Champions League.
The 13-time winners of Europe’s prestigious club competition, Real Madrid progressed 3-1 on aggregate.
They have now qualified for the Champions League semi-finals 14 times, more than any other team in the history of the competition.
Liverpool tore into Real from the off and should have been ahead after just two minutes after Mohamed Salah was through on goal but hit his shot straight at Thibaut Courtois.
Madrid’s first chance came soon after but Luka Modric’s 20-yard shot was deflected wide.
Then again, on 11 minutes Thibaut Courtois made a brilliant save from James Milner after stretching to palm his curling effort from outside the box which looked to be heading for the top corner.
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Madrid though came closer on 20 minutes but Karim Benzema’s attempted cross deflected against the post by Ozan Kabak.
Just before halftime, Liverpool wasted two guilt-edged chances. Firstly Salah swept a shot wide after Georginio Wijnaldum had found Sadio Mane in the box.
Then Alexander-Arnold powered forward down the right and laid the ball off to Wijnaldum, who had a good first touch before firing his shot high over the crossbar.
Madrid almost put the tie to bed on 81 minutes when Alvaro Odriozola whipped a brilliant cross into the box from the right and Benzema, unmarked sent his header into the ground and onto the roof of the net.
Klopp then threw on Xherdan Shaqiri for Firmino, while Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain replaced Mane, as Liverpool looked for a late miracle and almost scored when Salah had another chance from a tight angle, but Courtois made a good block.
Madrid would now face English side Chelsea in the Semi-finals of the elite competition which is scheduled two weeks away.
AFRICA TODAY NEWS, NEW YORK