Goalkeeper adds that his side must improve in the final third against top teams
Real Madrid’s Thibaut Courtois has revealed how he made standout save to deny Liverpool’s Dominik Szoboszlai from point-blank range during Tuesday’s Champions League meeting between the two clubs.
The Belgian goalkeeper was in inspired form at Anfield, making eight saves to keep Madrid in the game as Liverpool dominated chance creation and attempts on goal.
Courtois’ most notable intervention came a few minutes before the half-hour mark, when he rushed out to smother Szoboszlai’s attempt from 12 yards.
“You have to occupy space,” Courtois said. “Szoboszlai was on his own, and if I stayed on the goal line it would have been almost like a penalty. It would be impossible to stop.
“I wanted to go for the cross, but it would have been too dangerous. I’m two metres tall, I have long arms, I threw myself at it with everything. I made myself big. It wasn’t exactly a save from the goalkeeper’s manual, but it worked.”
Courtois’ performance kept the scores level despite a far superior attacking performance from Liverpool, but Alexis Mac Allister’s header in the second half was enough to give the Premier League team the edge.
Madrid’s defeat marks only the second time they have dropped points this season. Courtois admitted Madrid struggled to impose themselves in attack.
“We lacked a bit in the final third,” said the Belgian. “We lost too many duels. We didn’t have enough possession in the other half, and that’s where we want to play. That’s where we have to improve away from home, against good teams.”
