Gareth Bale says Real Madrid not 'up to standard' after 2-0 Liverpool loss in Champions League - 'Not a lot working'
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2024/09/16/image-4414b260-c386-47c6-af98-0a2675a5a091-68-310-310.jpeg)
Published 28/11/2024 at 00:07 GMT
Real Madrid have lost three of their last five matches in all competitions, with the Champions League winners are now 24th in the standings after their 2-0 defeat to Arne Slot's Liverpool. The disappointing loss at Anfield was compounded by a missed penalty from Kylian Mbappe, and while Gareth Bale believes the "best player in the world" is not struggling, the Real Madrid collective certainly is.
Highlights: Liverpool dominate Real Madrid at fiery Anfield as Mbappe woes continue
Video credit: TNT Sports
Gareth Bale admitted that there is "not a lot working" at Real Madrid after the UEFA Champions League holders fell to a 2-0 defeat to Liverpool at Anfield.
Madrid have lost three of their last five matches, including a 4-0 humbling in El Clasico and a 3-1 home defeat to AC Milan.
Goals from Alexis Mac Allister and Cody Gakpo consigned the 15-time winners to their third defeat in the inaugural league phase this campaign, with Carlo Ancelotti and his team sitting on the cusp of missing play-off qualification in 24th.
And Bale, who won five Champions League trophies in his time at the club, dismissed the idea that their heavy injury list was the main reason behind their dip in performance levels.
"There's not a lot working at the moment," Bale said on TNT Sports' Goals Xtra Show. "I think it's easy to say it's all down to the injuries and stuff like that. But they weren't up to the standard that they would have normally set for themselves.
"It's going to be a difficult job to get them going again. But I think Liverpool were fantastic tonight and thoroughly deserved the win."
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2024/11/27/4066508-82467813-2560-1440.jpg)
Bellingham reflects on 'humongous' pressure on Mbappe, says missed penalty not key to result
Video credit: TNT Sports
David Alaba, Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao are all out with cruciate ligament tears, while Vinicius Jr, Rodrygo and Aurelien Tchouameni each missed the blockbuster clash on Merseyside.
And James Horncastle believed that Ancelotti will be struggling not only with his raft of absentees, but also the optimum way to use both Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham in the same starting line-up.
"I think the injury crisis is something that... It's one thing to balance a load of superstars. It's another thing to balance a team where you've got holes everywhere," said Horncastle.
"Your quickest centre-back Militao, double ACLs. We mentioned Toni Kroos earlier, someone who can allow a team to breathe a little bit, manage games better, instead of having to rely on Luka Modric who wasn't always in the team last season.
"I also think Bellingham, the fact that they've now got a striker, he was that guy last year. He was the guy who filled in for Benzema and scored all the goals.
"Now he's having to think, actually there's Kylian and there's Vinicius there, although Vinicius didn't play tonight. There's a lot of things for Carlo [Ancelotti] to sort out."
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2024/11/27/4066488-82467413-2560-1440.jpg)
'That was his moment but he didn't deliver again' - TNT panel react to Mbappe miss
Video credit: TNT Sports
Bale: 'Best player in the world' Mbappe not struggling
Mbappe had a golden chance to level the match on the night, but saw his 61st-minute penalty saved by Caoimhin Kelleher.
Mohamed Salah also missed his subsequent spot-kick, but the Frenchman's weak effort highlighted a growing disquiet surrounding his issues in front of goal since he moved from PSG in the summer.
The 25-year-old has now scored just twice in his last nine appearances for Real Madrid, but Bale was unmoved concerning his undoubted quality.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2024/11/27/4066452-82466688-2560-1440.jpg)
'Absolutely massive!' - Mbappe penalty saved in style by Kelleher
Video credit: TNT Sports
The Welshman called Mbappe "the best player in the world" and put his inconsistent form down to the "enormous" pressure he has faced since swapping Paris for the Spanish capital.
"I don't think he's been struggling," said Bale. "Obviously he has an enormous expectation and pressure level on him, but he's a good enough player to know how to cope with that.
"I think what doesn't help is the team's not playing well. Because I think it's not all about one individual. You need your teammates to help you along the way.
"He's a world-class player on his day, the best player in the world in my opinion. And I'm sure when the team starts playing well, I'm sure his performances will go up and he'll be a huge success here."
Stream the 2024-25 UEFA Champions League live on TNT Sports and discovery+
React to this story
Share this article
Related Topics