Kylian Mbappé's much-anticipated move to Real Madrid has taken a dramatic turn for the worse, as the French superstar endured a nightmarish performance in the club's 2-0 defeat to Liverpool in the Champions League.
Since his highly publicized transfer to the Spanish giants, Mbappé has been under immense pressure to deliver. While he did show glimpses of his brilliance in domestic matches, his Champions League performances have been far from convincing.
In the recent loss at Anfield, Mbappé missed a penalty and struggled to make an impact on the game. His body language throughout the match was a cause for concern for Real Madrid fans, who have grown increasingly frustrated with his inconsistency.
One particular image that has gone viral shows Mbappé lying on the pitch after a challenge from Virgil van Dijk, with his head buried in the turf. This has been interpreted by many as a symbol of his apparent 'breakdown'.
Statistics from the match paint a bleak picture of Mbappé's performance. He managed just one shot on target, lost possession 15 times, and won only six of his 13 duels.
A video clip that emerged from the Anfield tunnel during halftime has only added fuel to the fire. Mbappé was seen sitting alone on a wall, looking completely disengaged from his teammates as they received a team talk.
Despite the criticism, Mbappé's teammates have come to his defense. Jude Bellingham, in particular, has urged fans to be patient with the French forward. "He's a fantastic player," Bellingham said. "The pressure on him because of how good he is is enormous. The penalty isn't the reason we lost the game. They played better than us. I know he'll produce many more moments that will be huge for this club."
However, Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti adopted a more stern tone, stating, "Only those who take responsibility can fail."
The pressure on Mbappé is now immense. With the club struggling in both domestic and European competitions, the spotlight is firmly on the French forward. If he is unable to find his form soon, questions will inevitably be raised about his suitability for Real Madrid.
For Real Madrid, the defeat to Liverpool is a major setback. The club has been in decline in recent years, and this latest result will only serve to increase the pressure on the board and the manager.
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