Real Madrid 1-0 Liverpool

Karim Benzema got the only goal in this one

Liverpool rested their stars and came away from Madrid with just the one goal defeat, which most would say was a good result.

Much-changed Liverpool produced a battling display but still lost 1-0 to Real Madrid in the Champions League.

Karim Benzema scored the only goal of the match as Madrid sealed their place in the last-16 of the competition they won last season.

Reds boss Brendan Rodgers caused a major surprise when he named his line-up, making seven changes from the side that lost 1-0 at Newcastle United on Saturday.

Steven Gerrard, Mario Balotelli, Jordan Henderson and Raheem Sterling were all left out of the side as Rodgers kept one eye on the Premier League match against Chelsea at the weekend.

Real started brightly and the impressive French striker Benzema found James Rodriguez in a promising position after just four minutes. The Colombian forced Simon Mignolet to make a fine save and, seven minutes later, an error by Martin Skrtel set Benzema free and he pulled the ball back for Cristiano Ronaldo who saw his shot tipped over the bar for a corner by the Reds keeper.

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When Liverpool tried to respond, Raphael Varane showed some good pace to snuff out Lazar Markovic's dangerous break before, midway through the first half, Adam Lallana's clever pass set up Joe Allen but Sergio Ramos blocked the former Swansea City man's effort.

Real scored the crucial goal in the 27th minute when Marcelo's inch-perfect cross was turned into the roof of the net from close range by Benzema.

Alvaro Arbeloa's mis-hit shock was then blocked by Kolo Toure after Rodriguez had created the chance as Real sensed a second goal.

Real won a free-kick ten minutes before half time but Ronaldo's 30-yard swerving effort was punched clear by the busy but effective Mignolet.

Benzema then almost latched on to Varane's pass only for Toure to get a touch to the ball before the Real striker .

Just before half time Liverpool created a good opening but Emre Can's poor cross let Real off the hook.

At the start of the second half Mignolet gathered Ronaldo's side-footed effort from the edge of the box at the second attempt and, when play moved to the other end of the pitch, Lallana's cross-shot flew just wide of Iker Casillas' goal.

In the 69th minute Ronaldo beat Skrtel but Toure was on hand to block the Portugal star's shot and two minutes later substitute Gareth Bale's stinging effort beat Mignolet only to come back into play off the bar.

Liverpool at least gave it a go in the closing stages with Fabio Borini a willing workhorse but they never really looked like grabbing an equaliser.

However, they certainly were not outclassed as seemed likely when the team sheets were revealed.

The Reds had been beaten 3-0 at Anfield by the reigning European champions just under a fortnight ago, and now face a tough task if they are to qualify for the knockout stages as they trail FC Basel by two points in Group B after the Swiss side beat Ludogorets Razgrad 4-0.

Liverpool did at least mange to keep Ronaldo quiet and he remains one goal short of the Champions League record of 71 goals set by former Real great Raul.

The 29-year-old had netted in each of his last 12 appearances for Real, including in all three Champions League games, but was not at his best against Rodgers' side.

Having completed La Decima last term, Real appear to have all the ingredients to become the first team to successfully defend their title during the Champions League era.