Alonso hails Courtois as 'best in the world' following Anfield highlight reel
Real Madrid lost 1-0 to Liverpool at Anfield, but it could have been much worse for the Spanish giants if not for Thibaut Courtois.
Real Madrid boss Xabi Alonso lavished praise on Thibaut Courtois after the Belgian produced a superb performance in goal against Liverpool.
Los Blancos fell to a 1-0 loss at Anfield in the Champions League, though the scoreline could have been far worse for Madrid if not for Courtois' heroics, with Alexis Mac Allister's 61st-minute header proving the difference.
The Madrid goalkeeper made a whopping eight saves, including denying a series of brilliant efforts from Dominik Szoboszlai, marking the first time he has made at least five stops in a European match since facing Arsenal in April.
Courtois, who famously frustrated Liverpool in the 2021-22 Champions League final in Paris, conceded with the first shot on target he faced against Marseille in the very first matchday of this season's competition, but then made 19 consecutive saves in Europe before he was beaten with the Reds' eighth shot on target on Tuesday.
"For me, we have the best [goalkeeper], we are lucky we have [Courtois], he made great saves today," Alonso told Amazon Prime.
One of the biggest talking points ahead of the encounter was Trent Alexander-Arnold's return to Anfield after his move to Madrid in the summer.
And indeed, the England international was greeted with a predictably frosty reception when introduced off the bench.
"Well, it could be expected," Alonso said of the Liverpool fans' reaction.
"He was focused and wanted to be part of it. So, it's the first time. He has challenges for him, it is a new experience. Step by step, but we are happy we have him."
Reflecting on the match as a whole, Alonso added: "It was really tight, tight game.
"The momentum, they got the lead and after we tried it was always going to be an intense game. We competed well, but we lacked a bit of a threat in the final third.
"Unluckily, we couldn't get anything. We have tried, for sure, we have reached the last line, but we didn't create as many chances as we expected to.
"Now it is the Champions League group stage, and there's still many points to play for."
Liverpool restricted Madrid to just two attempts on target and 0.45 expected goals.
That is Los Blancos' lowest xG figure in a game in over a year.
