PAYOUT AT LAST FOR SLOT MACHINE

Crisis well and truly over for Reds as Alexis hits the jackpot in Europe

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FOR an hour, it was a familiar tale of one particular man holding back a red tide, of one goalkeeper revelling in this classic fixture.

But even in the sort of form that thwarted Liverpool in the 2022 Champions League Final, Thibaut Courtois could not deny an irresistible Liverpool.

Crisis? What crisis? The victory margin was narrow - courtesy of Alexis Mac Allister’s 61st-minute header ~ but the performance was mighty.

A clean sheet and win over Aston Villa and a clean sheet and a win over Real Madrid means we can call an end to the hysteria about Arne Slot'’s slump.

And this was also proof that Liverpool can be as effective without Trent Alexander-Arnold, who was booed when he came on as a late substitute.

Mac Allister acknowledged Real Madrid star Courtois’ contribution but insisted Liverpool were simply “better”.

And the Reds goal hero said: “He is a fantastic keeper ~ we all know.

“He had a few saves, so again he is a really good keeper but today we were better and deserved to win.

“It was a good game against areally good team.