Tensions between Real Madrid and Liverpool extended beyond the pitch during Wednesday’s Champions League clash at Anfield.
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A clip circulating online has sparked fury among Real Madrid fans, showing what appears to be Liverpool’s medical staff denying teenage star Arda Guler access to a bottle of water.
Liverpool secured a convincing 2-0 win over the reigning European champions, courtesy of goals from Alexis Mac Allister and Cody Gakpo. However, an unusual sideline altercation has become the main talking point days after the match.
The Incident
The video captures a moment when Liverpool’s medical staff, attending to striker Darwin Nunez after an injury, became embroiled in a bizarre exchange with Guler. The 19-year-old Turkish international, visibly thirsty, reached for a bottle of water from a medical bag held by Jonathan Power, Liverpool’s head of medicine and performance.
Instead of sharing the water, Power is seen swiftly pulling the bag away, leaving Guler empty-handed and visibly confused. Such moments are rare during professional matches, where players are often seen casually grabbing water from shared supplies during pauses in play.
Fan Outrage
The incident has not gone unnoticed. Spanish sports daily AS labeled the action an “ugly gesture,” fueling outrage among Real Madrid supporters. Social media reactions poured in, with one fan commenting, “This is why nobody likes Liverpool,” while another remarked, “First win in 15 years, and this is how they act. Imagine if they had won in 2018 or 2022.”
Liverpool’s Champions League Dominance
Liverpool’s on-pitch performance, however, has been stellar. Their win over Real Madrid marked their fifth victory in as many games, placing them firmly atop the new league-format group stage. With 15 points secured, the Reds are on course to automatically qualify for the knockout stages of the competition.
Real Madrid, meanwhile, face an uphill battle to advance. With three losses in Europe this season, they sit precariously in 24th place, just inside the playoff qualification zone. Teams placed between ninth and 24th must navigate an additional playoff round, while the top eight earn direct passage to the next phase.
Looking Ahead
Liverpool will turn their attention back to domestic competition as they prepare for a monumental Premier League showdown against Manchester City on Sunday. Whether the water bottle saga lingers in the minds of players or fans remains to be seen, but it adds another layer of tension to the already fiery rivalry between two of Europe’s footballing giants.
