Jude Bellingham shows his true colors with comments on Kylian Mbappe's missed penalty

Jude Bellingham has absolved Kylian Mbappe of any responsibility despite the struggling Real Madrid star missing a crucial penalty against Liverpool. Mbappe's poor spot-kick was saved by Caoimhin Kelleher as Los Blancos trailed 1-0 at Anfield.

Liverpool then enjoyed a memorable 2-0 Champions League success to continue their remarkable start to life under Arne Slot. Alexis Mac Allister and Cody Gakpo scored against a stuttering Real, who have been ravaged by a number of injuries.

However, Carlo Ancelotti still had Bellingham and Mbappe. Both players failed to make a major impact on the match. Real managed only three shots on target and the first was the Frenchman's penalty in the 61st minute.

But Bellingham insisted his colleague was not to blame, even though he missed the chance to equalize for Real. The England star told TNT Sports: “Obviously it's a big moment in the game but it can happen.

“He is a wonderful player, but the pressure he puts on because of his quality is enormous. The penalty is not the reason we lost the game.

“As a collective, we weren't good enough that night. They (Liverpool) did better than us and it's as simple as that. Kylian can hold his head high. I know for sure that he will produce many more huge moments for this club.

Mbappe's performances have come under scrutiny since his high-profile move from Paris Saint-Germain. He has scored nine goals this season, but only two of them have come in his last nine appearances in all competitions.

Mohamed Salah also missed the penalty in a thrilling Champions League contest, which put Liverpool on the brink of automatic qualification and Real on the verge of having to go through the play-offs to qualify for the last 16. Mac Allister and Gakpo both scored in the second half in a dominant display from the Reds.

Head coach Arne Slot said: “You know how special it is to play against a team that has won the Champions League so many times. They have also been a problem for Liverpool for many years. C It's a big week and it's nice to see.

“It’s great to see not only the starters but also the incoming players doing what we expect. If before the season I had counted the points for this moment of the season, I would not have done as many as today. Every time Real Madrid threatened us, it was to [our mistakes]. I think we can play with more intensity and better with the ball.”