Steven Gerrard slammed Liverpool's defense and claimed there "has to be an inquest" after the Reds were thrashed 5-2 by Real Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie at Anfield on Tuesday.
It had all started so well for Jurgen Klopp's side on the night as they raced into a 2-0 lead through goals from Darwin Nunez and Mohamed Salah in the opening 15 minutes.
However, Real Madrid hit back as Vinicius Junior scored twice to level the match, with the Brazilian's second coming after an error from Liverpool goalkeeper Allison Becker.
Eder Militao put the reigning European champions ahead for the first time in the second half, before Benzema added to Liverpool's woes with the French star scoring twice to give Real Madrid a three-goal advantage ahead of the second leg.
It was a hugely damaging night for Klopp and Co., and following the game, Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard fumed at his former side's defense.
"I think it’s a reality check," he told BT Sport after the game. "They got off to the perfect start, exactly what you need on a European night—start fast, get yourself in front, build on it."
"But for any club, if you concede five goals, there has to be an inquest into why and how."
"I am sure Jurgen will do that in the coming days." It will be raw off the back of that defeat. Liverpool do not concede five goals here or at Anfield; if they do, it is very rare.
"There will be soul-searching and looking in the mirror." It wasn’t good enough.
Gerrard also highlighted several costly mistakes from Liverpool's back line during the game but hailed the quality and mentality of Real Madrid.
He added: "I think what you need to understand is that against high-class opposition, you can’t make individual errors."
"You have to defend well from set plays." They have to defend an awful lot better than they did tonight.
Obviously, the goal Allison gives away is disappointing. The first half was pretty even. But they had to reset.
Liverpool came out slow and conceded an incredibly poor goal from a set-piece. You can’t set up all in one line; you have to defend it like a corner, and they didn’t. That goal gave Real Madrid big confidence.
But sometimes you have to hold your hand up and say you were outclassed and dominated. They were better in most areas of the pitch.
"The reaction from Real Madrid was great." You are witnessing greatness in Modric and Benzema.
Liverpool will attempt to turn around the three-goal deficit when the two sides meet in the second leg at the Bernabeu on March 15.