Toni Kroos the key difference-maker as Real Madrid thwart lacklustre Liverpool play Steve Nicol calls out Nat Phillips for his play vs. Real Madrid (1:26) Steve Nicol believes Liverpool's Achilles' heel vs. Real Madrid was their defensive inexperience in the first leg. (1:26) that Barcelona team in the 2019 semifinal so... no big deal here!" Let's be crystal clear: While Tuesday's 3-1 loss to Real Madrid is significantly better than the 3-0 (very nearly 4-0 if it wasn't for Ousmane Dembele's ineptitude in the final seconds) defeat at Camp Nou two years ago, Jurgen Klopp's team played infinitely, almost indescribably better that night in Catalunya.