Karim Benzema's close-range finish has given Real Madrid a 1-0 lead over an under-strength Liverpool side in Group B of the Champions League.
© Getty Images
It took Madrid just three minutes to fire their first shot towards goal as James Rodriguez drew a fine save from Simon Mignolet.
Liverpool saw the majority of the ball in the opening 10 minutes, but a poor touch from Martin Skrtel allowed Benzema to nip in and Mignolet made another reflex save from Cristiano Ronaldo after the French striker had cut the ball back to his teammate.
As expected, Ronaldo continued to pose a threat and the Portuguese star was thwarted by Mignolet again, who made a comfortable save at his near post in the 18th minute.
Liverpool ventured forward on the odd occasion and Lazar Markovic found himself one on one with Raphael Varane, but the centre-back eased his opponent off the ball as Real showed their superiority.
In the 27th minute, the home side eventually broke the deadlock when Benzema peeled off the back of Kolo Toure at the far post and lashed home from Marcelo's precise cross.
Ronaldo then tested Mignolet with a vicious free kick that the Belgian parried away to safety before Toure almost looped a clearance into the back of his own net, only for it to drop just over the bar.
Although Marcelo then fired a volley towards goal which stung the hands of Mignolet, the Reds did venture forward in numbers on the odd occasion, only for their final ball to let them down.
Kristian Johnson
