Liverpool secured top spot in the Champions League on Wednesday with a dominant 2-0 win over holders Real Madrid thanks to goals from Alexis Mac Allister and Cody Gakpo.

Such was the Reds’ superiority that they could afford the luxury of a rare penalty miss from Mohamed Salah between goals as they claimed a fifth win from five games and moved two points clear at the top of the new-look league format .

On a miserable night for the Spaniards, now 24th in the 36-team league, Kylian Mbappe was well trapped and also missed a penalty that would have brought Real level against the run of play in the second half.

With Liverpool dominating possession and chances, Mac Allister struck the opener in the 52nd minute after a neat one-two with Conor Bradley for a frantic Kop end at Anfield.

Gakpo ended the match in the 76th minute with a header past Thibaut Courtois from an Andy Robertson cross.

John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images

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“When you play against teams like Real Madrid it is always nice to score, but the most important thing is that we won, and I think in a very good way,” said Mac Allister.

“We dominated the match, we deserved it.”

The result was a continuation of boss Arne Slot’s sparkling start at Liverpool, who, in addition to their 100% Champions League record, are also top of the Premier League.

Liverpool had not beaten Real Madrid since 2009 and had failed to win in their previous eight matches.

“It’s a big result, it was a huge game for us. Obviously they had the upper hand the last few times in the Champions League, so we wanted to come here tonight and put in a performance,” said goalkeeper Caoimhín Kelleher.

His penalty save against Mbappe sparked one of the biggest roars of the night.

“I don’t look at the player that much, I had confidence in him and luckily I went back in the right direction,” Kelleher said.

The top eight teams automatically qualify for the last 16 of the Champions League, while the next 16 play a two-legged play-off to join them.