Liverpool 0-3 Real Madrid
Real Madrid earned their first-ever win over Liverpool with a wondrous Cristiano Ronaldo goal spearheading a 3-0 Champions League victory at Anfield, which appeared as classy as it was dominant.
The roar of one of Europe's most vociferous crowds was muted when Ronaldo, combining with James Rodriguez, scored the most brilliant of openers in the 23rd minute, his 70th Champions League goal moving him within one of Raul's all-time record.
Poor Liverpool defending then contributed to Karim Benzema striking twice more for the champions before halftime and left the hosts to try to overturn a three-goal deficit in the Champions League for the first time since the 2005 final.
Carlo Ancelotti, who was in charge of the AC Milan side which threw away that lead in Istanbul, was not about to let history repeat itself in this group B encounter as his men consolidated to win their third consecutive Champions League game and emphatically put an end to Liverpool's three-game, 100% winning record over them.
Madrid top the group with nine points, while Liverpool, Basel and Ludogorets are all six points adrift.
Ronaldo, who could easily have equalled the record in the second half only to be thwarted by keeper Simon Mignolet, was taken off with a quarter of an hour left by Ancelotti, who was thinking ahead to Saturday's Clasico against Barcelona.
By that point, Real's eighth successive win in all competitions was wrapped up.
The closest Liverpool came to clawing their way back into the game was just before halftime when Philippe Coutinho struck a thunderous 20-metre shot against the post with Madrid keeper Iker Casillas well-beaten.
Liverpool looked a little more threatening after the break, once Mario Balotelli, again a grievous disappointment, had been replaced by Adam Lallana.
As the teams went down the tunnel at halftime, Balotelli swapped shirts with Pepe, a gesture which will doubtless not have been greatly appreciated by the home fans at such a stage in the game.
"We have nine points, so 75% of the qualification is done"
Speaking after the game, Ronaldo told Sky Sports 5: "It was special. It was my first goal here, so I feel very proud for that. I feel happy. We win three points, so amazing.
"We knew before the game that Anfield is a difficult place, but I think we played fantastic, especially in the first 45 minutes, and we deserved to win.
"I'm happy because it's dedication and hard work, but the best thing is that the team wins. We have nine points, so 75% of the qualification is done."
Real now have one foot in the knockout stages as they are six points ahead of Liverpool, Basel and Ludogorets, and Ronaldo sees no reason why they cannot become the first team to retain the Champions League title.
"Why not? We're thinking step by step," the Portugal forward said. "We know that the qualification is the priority of the team, but we're going to try, like last year.
"We know it's going to be very tough, but we are positive and it will be possible if we play like that."
