Real Madrid roar back to thrash sorry Liverpool

Vinicius Junior and Karim Benzema scored twice as Real Madrid produced another stunning Champions League fightback from 2-0 down to thrash Liverpool 5-2 in the first leg of their last 16 tie at Anfield on Tuesday.

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Darwin Nunez and Mohamed Salah had given the hosts a perfect start in a repeat of last season's Champions League final.

But Vinicius struck twice to level by half-time and, after Eder Militao had given Carlo Ancelotti's men the lead, Benzema's double put the holders well on the way to the quarter-finals.

"We suffered a lot early on, you can't start games like that, but fortunately the team had a cool head," said Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti.

"Up front today we were very efficient. Every time we broke the press of Liverpool we were able to create chances."

Defeat compounds a disastrous season for Liverpool after coming so close to an unprecedented quadruple of trophies last year.

Jurgen Klopp's men are languishing in eighth in the Premier League and now appear to have no realistic chance of silverware this season.

"I think Carlo thinks the tie is over and I think it is too in the moment," said Klopp. "In three weeks we will get to the game and take our chances.

"We go there and try to win the game. Whether it is possible, I don't know, but we will try."

UEFA protest

Madrid's 1-0 victory when the sides met in Paris last May was overshadowed by chaotic scenes outside the Stade de France that put the lives of fans at risk.

The Liverpool support responded by drowning out the Champions League anthem with a chorus of boos, while a series of banners in the Kop stand took aim at UEFA and the French authorities.

Once the action got underway, the players produced the spectacle expected of a