Mbappe under fire: Real Madrid falters against Liverpool
Kylian Mbappe struggled to manage the responsibility of leading Real Madrid's offence in their Champions League match against Liverpool. The Royals lost 0-2 and find themselves in a difficult position for the upcoming games in the competition. Many fans are blaming the Frenchman for this loss. But is that blame justified?
1:34 PM EST, November 28, 2024
Real Madrid is currently experiencing a significant sports crisis. After victories against Osasuna (4-0) and Leganes (3-0), many fans were hopeful for a breakthrough in the Champions League. However, they lost their last two matches against Lille (0-1) and AC Milan (1-3). Facing a fierce Liverpool at Anfield would always be a tough challenge.
The task was not accomplished. Arne Slot's "machine" defeated Real Madrid 2-0, solidifying its position as the leader of the Champions League, where it remains unbeaten this season. For the Reds' fans, the triumph over the Royals was twice as sweet as their last victory against them in 2009. Kylian Mbappe was singled out as a key reason for Los Blancos' defeat and the team's broader crisis.
Kylian Mbappe's poor performance against Liverpool
In the Liverpool match, Kylian Mbappe had an opportunity to shine in attack without Vinicius Junior and demonstrate that he could handle his team's offensive responsibilities. Unfortunately, he missed a penalty and received one of the lowest ratings on his team from SofaScore, scoring 6.3 out of 10.
He managed only one shot on goal, which was blocked by Liverpool's defense. Additionally, a photo on social media showed the Frenchman on the ground after a dangerous collision with Virgil van Dijk.
Kylian Mbappe blamed for Real Madrid's crisis
When Mbappe arrived at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium during the summer of 2024, expectations were high. His transfer from PSG was considered "galactic," drawing comparisons to Cristiano Ronaldo's arrival in 2009. However, the beginning of his Real Madrid journey does not mirror Ronaldo's.
This has led to discussions about Mbappe's effectiveness within the Madrid team. While some fans blame him for the Royals' crisis, is this fair? According to statistics, Mbappe has played 18 matches for Real, scoring 9 goals and providing two assists. During this time, he has spent 1,502 minutes on the pitch.
These numbers aren't poor for a forward but do not match the expectations for a player of Mbappe's caliber, who was supposed to be the mainstay in Carlo Ancelotti's attack. Several factors contribute to his current form, including off-field issues. Recently, there were accusations of sexual assault against the Frenchman. Additionally, he usually plays on the left wing, a position Vinicius Junior occupies.
Vinicius Junior didn't play against Liverpool, which allowed Mbappe to operate in his natural position. However, he still did not meet fan expectations. He will likely have more chances to prove his value, but fans' patience is thin.
