Half-Time Report: Real Madrid cruising past Liverpool

Liverpool are succumbing to a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Real Madrid in this evening's Champions League Group B clash at Anfield.

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Cristiano Ronaldo had the first concrete chance of the game in the eighth minute when he found space on the left flank and weaved past Glen Johnson, before cutting inside onto his right foot and firing straight at Simon Mignolet from 20 yards.

Just three minutes later, however, Liverpool countered through Steven Gerrard, who launched a dipping shot from 30 yards that forced a parrying save from Iker Casillas.

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The European champions were able to break the deadlock in the 23rd minute when James Rodriguez played a stylish chipped pass into the path of Ronaldo, who took the ball on the bounce and lashed past Mignolet into the Liverpool goal.

Only seven minutes would elapse before Real doubled their lead, Toni Kroos floating a ball into the box which allowed Karim Benzema to head home from a tight angle.

With just five minutes left in the half, Madrid added another goal when a defensive mishap by the hosts led to the ball falling to the feet of Benzema, who prodded home with little effort.