Real Madrid in crisis: Mbappe faces scrutiny after Liverpool loss
Kylian Mbappe was unable to shoulder the responsibility for Real Madrid's offence in their Champions League match against Liverpool. The Royals lost 0-2 and now face a challenging position in the upcoming fixtures of these competitions. Many fans are placing the blame on the Frenchman, but is this criticism warranted?
Real Madrid is grappling with a significant sporting crisis. After securing victories against Osasuna (4-0) and Leganes (3-0), expectations were high for a breakthrough performance in the Champions League. However, they had suffered defeats in their last two encounters, losing to Lille (0-1) and AC Milan (1-3). The task was always going to be difficult against a vibrant Liverpool side at Anfield.
The task remained unfulfilled, as Arne Slot's "machine" overpowered Real Madrid 2-0, reinforcing their position as leaders in the Champions League, having not faced a single defeat this season. For the Reds' supporters, their triumph over the Royals was especially sweet as they last tasted such victory in 2009. Kylian Mbappe emerged as one of the key figures blamed for Los Blancos' defeat and the wider crisis affecting the team.
Kylian Mbappe's disappointing performance against Liverpool
Mbappe had an opportunity against Liverpool to lead Real Madrid's attack without Vinicius Junior, demonstrating he could carry the team's offensive duties on his own. However, he not only missed a penalty but also received one of the lowest team ratings according to SofaScore, scoring 6.3 out of 10.
Mbappe managed only one shot on target, which was blocked by Liverpool's defence. Social media also circulated an image capturing the Frenchman standing awkwardly after a dangerous collision with Virgil van Dijk.
Kylian Mbappe held responsible for Real Madrid's struggles
When Mbappe arrived at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu in the summer of 2024, expectations were sky-high. His transfer from PSG was considered "galactic", reminiscent of Cristiano Ronaldo's celebrated move in 2009. However, so far it bears little resemblance to the success Ronaldo experienced during his early days at Real Madrid.
This has spurred discussions about Kylian's effectiveness within the Madrid team. Many supporters view him as a chief contributor to the Royals' crisis, but is this justified? According to statistics, Mbappe has played 18 matches for Real, scoring 9 goals and providing two assists. Over this period, he has accumulated 1,502 minutes on the pitch.
These figures are respectable for a striker but fall short of expectations for a player of Mbappe's calibre, who was supposed to spearhead Carlo Ancelotti's attack from the outset. Numerous factors affect Kylian's performance, including off-field issues. Recently, the Frenchman faced accusations of sexual assault. Additionally, he operates on the left wing, which is Vinicius Junior’s preferred position.
Vinicius was absent from the clash with Liverpool, giving Mbappe the opportunity to play in his natural position. Despite this, his performance did not meet fans' expectations. As more opportunities arise for him to demonstrate his value, the patience of supporters is growing thin.
