Rafa Benitez gives fascinating Liverpool vs Real Madrid tactical breakdown as three stars named

Rafa Benitez highlighted three Liverpool players for their tactical impact during the win over Real Madrid. The Reds claimed a 2-0 win over the Spanish giants in the Champions League clash at Anfield on Wednesday night.

Alexis Mac Allister and Cody Gakpo scored the goals that secured the three points for Liverpool against their historic rivals. The Reds remain the only club in the Champions League with a 100 percent record after the first five fixtures in the league phase of the competition.

Benitez was in attendance at Anfield as an official match observer for UEFA and has provided his findings after watching Liverpool beat Madrid. The 64-year-old spent six seasons as Reds manager from 2004-10 and last worked in management with Celta Vigo before his exit in March this year.

READ MORE: Thibaut Courtois makes major Anfield admission as Real Madrid struggle to cope with Liverpool

READ MORE: Nervous chatter after Liverpool press conference change as Arne Slot pinpoints truth about injuries

As well as scoring the opening goal, Mac Allister's performance against Madrid impressed Benitez. The former Liverpool boss pointed out the tactics from the Argentina international that helped prove vital to the win for Arne Slot's team.

"The main difference were their runs in behind, the penetrating passes, and the positions they took behind the Real Madrid midfielders," Benitez told UEFA. In his analysis, Beinitez highlighted Mac Allister for embodying this.

"He was great at finding spaces with his movement and also with his penetrating passes, particularly in the second half," Benitez was also impressed by Ryan Gravenberch and Curtis Jones for their performances alongside Mac Allister in midfield.

When it comes to Gravenberch, Benitez said that the Dutchman was "difficult for Real Madrid to control" on Wednesday night. Jones played a key role in the build-up to Liverpool's opening goal, which was scored by Mac Allister. "He took up good positions and made runs in behind," said Benitez.

He also highlighted the numbers behind the midfielders' performances. Mac Allister ended the match with the most passes in behind (seven) and joint-first for key passes (two), while Jones received the ball most between the lines (14) and had the second-most line-breaking passes (19).

Mac Allister, Gravenberch and Jones have been three of the first-choice midfielders for Liverpool this season, with Dominik Szoboszlai also frequently used by Slot in the middle of the park. Slot will have the trio to choose from, along with Harvey Elliott and Wataru Endo, when the Reds face Manchester City in the Premier League this weekend.