Liverpool's most disappointing moment at the Bernabeu was probably the only goal they conceded.
The superstition of The Kop stars, especially the mainstay Virgil van Dijk in defense, was the direct cause of the goal conceded. Somehow, Vinicius, even though he fell, still managed to pass the ball for Karim Benzema to easily shoot.
Liverpool did not collapse at the Bernabeu, they lost right from the first leg at their home ground Anfield. The score of 2-5 is too big a gap that makes the legs of the "Red Brigade" falter. The shock of the defeat to Southampton was so big that the atmosphere in the dressing room became even heavier.
Energy, intensity, focus and pride are the minimum standards Liverpool have not had, at least compare to their own level in recent seasons.
Klopp's elite team is no different from their own version under Roy Hodgson. Liverpool's playing style is too easy to predict, just overlapping, trying to cut into the penalty area, there is absolutely no creativity in midfield.
Liverpool players are out of practice or simply have been physical exhaustion for many years and are now becoming bland, unable to create or even want to.
Outside the pitch, Klopp is still enthusiastic about directing but can only stand and laugh until he sees things gradually become meaningless. In a match that required a lightning game, even adventure and recklessness, Liverpool did not have any shots on target from the 37th - 83rd minute.
Liverpool are like a person traveling in the fog to find their old glory. There are still those people but they dig through each match to become their own version as before.
Every time they lose direction, they fall in pain and the question is, how many times will they fall between now and the end of the season?
Cody Gakpo, Mohamed Salah, Diogo Jota, Darwin Nunez are stars who have run on the Bernabeu. However, the final image remained for them as amateur players entering the big stage for the first time.
Untalented, unable and unpersonalized, Liverpool have lost the overall image of the whole team and each individual when facing the mighty Real Madrid.
Liverpool are facing their biggest rivals, not Real Madrid or their Premier League rivals.
Liverpool just need to return to the image of the previous period, all opponents have to be cautious and scared when facing. They are still a big team, with good results in recent years but are declining to become a normal club, as before Jurgen Klopp's arrival.
