Thibaut Courtois points finger as Real Madrid dressing room reaction to Liverpool defeat emerges

Thibaut Courtois

Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois felt Real Madrid conceded too many fouls against Liverpool as the Belgian goalkeeper found clear faults with his side's display in their 1-0 defeat at Anfield.

Alexis Mac Allister headed home the only goal of the game just after the hour mark as Courtois was finally beaten,

With only the fine display of the Real Madrid No.1 ensuring that the Reds didn't win their Champions Leagueclash by more goals.

Reflecting on the loss, Courtois - who was praised by Reds skipper Virgil van Dijk after the game, with the Dutchman claiming the display reminded him of the 2022 Champions League final - said:

Courtois

“Some of the fouls we commit are unnecessary. We still need to improve against strong opponents away from home.

“We didn't have enough possession in the other half, and that's where we want to play. That's where we have to improve away from home, against good teams... We could play better.

"These games are decided by details, and that's what happened. We must stay calm, we're OK."

The pick of Courtois's fine stops came from Dominik Szoboszlai in the first half, with the goalkeeper explaining:

Courtois

"You have to occupy space. Szoboszlai was on his own, and if I stayed on the goal line it would have been almost like a penalty, it would be impossible to stop.

"I wanted to go for the cross, but it would have been too dangerous. I'm two metres tall, I have long arms, I threw myself at it with everything.

“I made myself big. It wasn't exactly a save from the goalkeeper's manual, but it worked."

Real boss Xabi Alonso admitted his side had Courtois to thank for not losing by more goals.

Alonso

“There are different ways of losing,"

"Today's game is very different to the Metropolitano [against Atletico]. Today we gave everything, competed, the attitude was good. We lacked some things we should improve.

"I think we competed well... Thibaut kept us in it, the goal gave them the advantage, but I can't criticise the team... We leave with a bad taste in our mouths because of the defeat, but we have to keep going."

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