Real Madrid captain Karim Benzema dedicated Wednesday's 5-2 win over Liverpool to club great Amancio Amaro, who died at 83 earlier in the day.
Benzema scored Madrid's fourth, via a huge deflection, and fifth goals as the title-holders staged an epic comeback, having trailed 2-0 at Anfield.
It put the Spanish giants firmly in the driving seat to progress to the Champions League quarter-finals when the two sides meet in the return leg next month.
"It's a very important night for us, I want to dedicate this win to our honorary president, Amancio," Benzema told Movistar.
"This victory is for him, with personality, goals. We want this Champions League.
"It was a beautiful game for everyone because we started a bit badly, we know Liverpool with their fans put on a lot of pressure, but after 15, 20 minutes, then we saw Real Madrid."
Liverpool went two goals ahead at the start but Madrid came back with a vengeance to run out comfortable winners.
Vinicius Junior, who netted the winner against Jurgen Klopp's side in the 2022 final, hit a brace to go with Benzema's pair, while Eder Militao scored a header just after half time.
"We know football is always difficult. They started well," added French striker Benzema.
"Two errors after 14 minutes, we need to do more – what we did until the end.
"A goal can change everything and it happened today."
Liverpool v Real Madrid ratings
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LIVERPOOL RATINGS: Alisson Becker 4: No chance stopping Vinicius’s stunning opening goal. Horrible mistake when his pass out from back rebounded off Vinicius and into the net to make it 2-2. Wong-footed by deflection on fourth goal, rounded by Benzema for fifth. Reuters -
Trent Alexander-Arnold 6: Impressive passing display in first-half as right-back picked out teammates at will down right flank. Curled free-kick straight at keeper just before break. Like rest of Liverpool defence, found Vinicius a handful – to say the least. Getty -
Joe Gomez 4: Sloppy defending gifted chance to Rodrygo in opening 10 minutes but Real attacker failed to take advantage. Clumsy challenge on Vinicius gave away free-kick that led to Real going 3-2 up just after half-time, then deflected Benzema shot into the net minutes later for fourth goal. EPA -
Virgil Van Dijk 6: Came to Gomez’s rescue when he blocked Rodrygo shot after defensive partner lost possession in first-half but even class and experience of Dutchman couldn’t prevent Real running riot as match went on. PA -
Andrew Robertson 6: Wonderful sliding interception just before break stopped Rodrygo tapping home to make it 3-2 just before half-time. Has been brutal about Liverpool's failings this season and could do nothing as team fell apart in spectacular fashion again. Getty -
Jordan Henderson 5: Made some decent runs forward between the lines in first-half but made wrong call when he tried to anticipate Vinicius ahead Real’s opener, allowing Brazilian space to shoot. Father Time has caught up with experienced midfielder at this level. AP -
Fabinho 6: Some tough tackling from Brazilian midfielder but he and Henderson were made to look pedestrian against quality of Real’s movement on occasions. EPA -
Stefan Bajcetic 5: Teenage midfielder has played his way into Liverpool’s starting XI of late but found the going tough at times against Real’s star-studded midfield. Distribution not up to required standard. Getty -
Mohamed Salah 7: Provided assist for Nunez’s early goal and will be disappointed he didn’t score himself when he side-footed chance wide not long after. But did score in 15th minute after capitalising on terrible Courtois blunder. Faded after sparkling first half hour. AP -
Cody Gakpo 5: Dutch attacker was aiming to make it three goals on the spin but made very little impact for Merseysiders here and was no surprise when he was hooked just after hour mark. EPA -
Darwin Nunez 6: Audacious backheel finish to put Liverpool ahead after three minutes and showed his willingness to track back with an important interception at other end of pitch later in half. Not a sniff of goal in second-half when Liverpool failed to lay glove on Real. AP -
SUBS: Roberto Firmino (On for Nunez 64’) 5: Lost possession just after coming on which started Real’s counter-attack for fifth goal. Headed chance straight at keeper. Reuters Diogo Jota (On for Gapko 64’) 5: Portuguese has barely played this season due to injury and little chance to make impact here. -
James Milner (On for Henderson 73’) 5: Thankless introduction for veteran who was brought on with his team 5-2 down. AP -
Joel Matip (On for Gomez 73’) 6: Experienced defender can at least say no more goals were scored after he came on. AP -
REAL MADRID RATINGS: Thibaut Courtois 5: The hero of last year’s final in Paris gifted Salah Liverpool’s second goal with a horrendous error - but it didn’t prove crucial as Real ripped opponents apart at other end of pitch. EPA -
Dani Carvajal 8: Top-quality performance from right-back who never looked flustered and hardly put a foot wrong. Push on Nunez at start of second half had Liverpool striker claiming a penalty but rightly waved away by referee. AFP -
Eder Militao 8: Caught sleeping as Nunez found space for his very early goal and had to limp off injured after 25 minutes. Blocked Nunez’s close-range shot as Liverpool nearly made it 3-1 in first half. Stooping header from defender made it 3-2 to Real. EPA -
Antonio Rudiger 7: Former Chelsea defender back on English turf was solid at back for Spaniard and went for one optimistic strike from distance at other end of pitch in second half that that flew wide. Embarrassing over-reaction after being caught in face by Nunez at one point. Reuters -
David Alaba 4: Was struggling badly against the runs of Salah and the passing of Alexander-Arnold before having to limp off injured before half-hour mark. A night to forget for Austrian on night to remember for Real. AFP -
Luka Modric 8: Picked out Militao with perfect low free-kick from left-hand side of penalty area that saw Brazilian head Real in front just after break. At heart of counter-attack for team’s fifth goal. Croatian took control of midfield in second half as Real took control of game – and tie as whole. Getty -
Eduardo Camavinga 8: Key player in midfield alongside Modric as Real managed to turnaround two-goal deficit in some style at Anfield. Won important tackles and kept things simple with his distribution. EPA -
Federico Valverde 8: Scored 12th goal of season against Osasuna at the weekend but shot wildly over bar when well placed in first half. Superb industry and workrate from one of the form players in world football. AFP -
Rodrygo 8: Must have thought Real’s third goal was coming his way on brink of half-time after being teed-up by excellent Vinicius cross only for Robertson to block in style. Helped Real torment Liverpool at the back. Getty -
Karim Benzema 8: The prolific French striker had very little sniff of goal but it was his shot - via big deflection off Gomez - that made it 4-2. Brilliant composure to round Alisson and score the fifth. Getty -
Vinicius Junior 9: Two goals for Brazilian – one a brilliant finish from edge of box, the other lucky when countryman Allison booted a clearance off his leg that looped into the net. Saw another shot saved by goalkeeper in chaotic first-half. Booked for time wasting in second. EPA -
SUBS: Nacho (On for Alaba 27’) 8: Early introduction after Alaba’s injury and struggled to adapt to ferocious pace of game after coming on but did well in end helping keep Salah quiet for rest of game. Reuters -
Dani Ceballos (On for Rodrygo 80’) N/A. AP -
Marco Asensio (On for Benzema 86’) N/A. AP Toni Kroos (On for Modric 86’) N/A.
Darwin Nunez put Liverpool in front with a fine flicked finish and Mohamed Salah netted the second for the hosts after an uncharacteristic error from Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.
The Belgian international gave the ball away in front of goal to the grateful Salah, who tucked it away.
"It was a bit of bad luck to mess it up like that, I controlled it well and at first I wanted to pass it but I saw Salah stopped and so I said, 'I'll go to my right foot', but it bounced off my knee," said Courtois.
"Vini's goal allowed us to breathe and then Alisson did the same [as me] and on the counter we are strong."
Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson had kicked the ball away under pressure from Vinicius and the ball hit the Brazilian and flew into the net to level the score at 2-2.
