At times this was almost too easy. Liverpool put Real Madrid under pressure from the first minute and never let them off, with a four goal margin that is almost too little given the way that the team played. If it hadn’t been for Iker Casillas – who made at least six incredible saves – the score line would have been closer to last year’s trashing of Besiktas.

Good Game
As has been his misfortune throughout his career, Pepe Reina was overshadowed by Iker Casillas but he pulled off a number of important saves on the night. The defence handled what Real threw at them reasonably well. Fabio Aurelio clearly loves playing against Spanish teams as he once again excelled whilst Jamie Carragher and Martin Skrtel covered well for each other. Like the rest of the defence, Alvaro Arbeloa played reasonably well even though it showed that he was coming back from injury.

At long last, Ryan Babel showed a glimpse of his talent tonight as he used his speed to great effect. A great run that led to the third goal was probably the highlight of his game but overall he was very good. So too Xabi Alonso even if he wasn’t at his best. Dirk Kuyt, perhaps the less heralded of all the Dutch players on the pitch, played his usual intelligent game where he worked hard to win the ball and, once he did, he made sure that it got to the best placed player.

The master in midfield, however, was Javier Mascherano who won everything that came near him. To top it off, there was his celebration once the fourth goal went in. My man of the match.

That might seem harsh on Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres both of whom had a great game and continuously looked out to find each other. At last, there was a glimpse of the form that raised so many hopes towards the end of last season and showed just what Liverpool have been missing this time round.

Bad Game
How can you say that anyone had a bad game on a night like this?

Substitutions
Lucas Leiva did well enough when he came on for Alonso and could perhaps have gotten a goal in the final minute. Whilst the introduction of Lucas was expected, the sight of Jay Spearing limbering up to replace Gerrard was quite a shock but the young midfielder did well enough in the half hour he was given, proving that those who feel that he is ready for the first team might just be right.

Andrea Dossena was given a cameo appearance but he still found the time to score a very good goal. In the long run, the emergence of Emiliano Insua might push him out but his goal celebration showed just how much he cares.