With Vinicius Junior absent due to injury, the trip to Liverpool was seen as an opportunity for Mbappe to assert his worth when he returned to his preferred left wing. However, what the Real Madrid new player showed was completely opposite to expectations.
The most typical situation of Mbappe's poor performance was the unsuccessful penalty kick. When the home team was losing 0-1, the 26-year-old striker had the opportunity to equalize from the penalty spot. However, Mbappe could not beat Kelleher. This situation not only lost the chance to equalize the score but also greatly affected the spirit of the whole team.
Not only did Mbappe fail in decisive situations, he also showed weakness in one-on-one confrontations. Facing young defender Conor Bradley, the 1998-born star continuously lost the ball. Every time Liverpool's young star won against Mbappe, the fans at Anfield became more and more excited while the French star's mentality became heavier and heavier.
Mbappe's decline is not just about feelings but also clearly shown through numbers. In the match against Liverpool, the 26-year-old striker only had 1 shot on target (a blocked penalty), had the lowest passing accuracy among Real Madrid players (75%) and lost the ball 15 times. Notably, he did not create any chances for his teammates.
In addition to his poor performance, Mbappe's attitude on the field was also dissected. Right from the moment he entered the tunnel after the first half, the striker born in 1998 appeared tired and distant from his teammates. After Liverpool raised the score to 2-0, Mbappe expressed his disappointment by arguing with the referee about an offside situation, instead of focusing on the match.
After the final whistle, the 2018 World Cup champion quickly left the field without thanking the home fans. Mbappe also did not appear in the post-match interview area, leaving teammates like Luka Modric and Jude Bellingham to speak on his behalf.
Despite heavy criticism, Mbappe still received protection from captain Carlo Ancelotti and his teammates. Carletto admitted that the French striker was lacking confidence and sympathized with his difficult moments in the match at Anfield.
With 9 goals and 2 assists after 18 matches this season, Mbappe's performance is not too bad. However, for a player with a superstar reputation and once expected to inherit Cristiano Ronaldo's position at Real Madrid, these numbers are not enough.
Captain Luka Modric also stressed that Kylian Mbappe needs more time to adapt to the harsh environment at Real Madrid. What the new Los Blancos player is going through can be considered an important lesson in his career.
The defeat to Liverpool is a clear warning that even the world's top talents like Mbappe cannot succeed without effort and focus. The 26-year-old star needs to quickly regain his form and prove his worth, if he does not want to become the "Eden Hazard 2.0" version at Real Madrid.
