Kylian Mbappe’s debut season at Real Madrid has fallen short of expectations. The French striker, who arrived on a free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain in the summer, was anticipated to spearhead the club’s quest for more silverware. However, early challenges have raised concerns about his form, positioning, and mindset. Mbappe has managed just one goal in five Champions League appearances for Los Blancos. His performance against Liverpool on Wednesday was met with boos from the home crowd at Anfield, compounded by a missed penalty that could have leveled the match.
Mbappe started the match on the left wing but was moved inside to a central role after Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema were injured, allowing him to play in his preferred position in attack. However, he needed help to make an impression and, in the absence of Vinicius Junior on the left, was often found isolated against a well-organized Liverpool defense.
The 24-year-old needs to be more at ease in a central role, and it was clear to see against Liverpool. He was caught offside eight times, the highest tally of any player in La Liga this season and the joint-highest figure in a single game for a Madrid forward since Benzema’s departure. He also missed a handful of other chances, including a late header that looked certain to have earned a point and silenced the Anfield boss.
However, Mbappe was not helped by his teammates’ poor defensive organization, particularly in the build-up to the Reds’ winning goal. Despite a couple of fine saves from Thibaut Courtois, he was unable to find a way through the Liverpool backline on numerous occasions.
It was a disappointing night for Mbappe, who will hope to turn things around in his next appearance for the team – at home against Ajax on Sunday. However, he will need more time and more love from his boss if he is to recapture the form that made him one of the world’s most exciting players.
The new Champions League format created more giant-vs.-giant matches in the group stage but has watered down the competition at times. UEFA’s compromise would only please some, and it certainly hasn’t pleased Mbappe, who is now in danger of missing out on the last 16 with a team that was once considered a slender favorite for European glory.
Mbappe will have to step up his performances and goalscoring if he wants to earn the faith of the Madrid faithful. Fortunately for him, the group stage is far from over, and there are still plenty of opportunities to prove his criticisms wrong. He needs to do it sooner rather than later or risk missing out on a place in the quarter-finals with a team that will likely not be among Europe’s top four clubs. Amid the gloom, it’s vital that the world’s most expensive player remains confident and focused on the job at hand.
