LIVERPOOL VS. REAL MADRID: GARETH BALE BACKS KYLIAN MBAPPÉ

Former Real Madrid star Gareth Bale defended Kylian Mbappé after the forward disappointed in the club's Champions League defeat to Liverpool on Wednesday, during which he missed a crucial penalty.

Mbappé could have levelled for Madrid in the second half at Anfield, with Liverpool leading 1-0, but his spot kick was saved by Caoimhín Kelleher, and the home side went on to win 2-0, leaving Madrid 24th in the Champions League league phase table after three defeats in five games.

Criticism of Mbappé's form has been growing in Madrid, with the France international scoring just twice in his last nine games for the reigning Spanish and European champions.

"It does happen. I've missed penalties, everyone's missed penalties," Bale, who won five Champions Leagues with Madrid, told TNT Sports.

"It's just unfortunate that at the moment it's not quite going Mbappé's way, but I think on his day he's the best player in the world, and it's just a matter of time before he comes good."

Coach Carlo Ancelotti admitted Mbappé is suffering from a "lack of confidence" after the penalty miss, but called for "patience" with the star.

"It's [the penalty] obviously a big moment in the game, but it can happen," teammate Jude Bellingham told TNT Sports. "He's a wonderful player, but the pressure that he holds, because of how good he is, is huge. It's humongous.

"The penalty is not the reason why we lost the game ... Kylian can keep his head high, I know for sure that he will produce many more moments that are huge for this club."

Madrid will now play Atalanta, RB Salzburg and Brest as they look to qualify for the Champions League knockout round, while they host Getafe in LaLiga on Sunday.

- Alex Kirkland and Rodrigo Faez

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JAY-Z CELEBRATES REAL MADRID'S CHAMPIONS LEAGUE WIN WITH VINICIUS JÚNIOR SELFIE

ADAM VAUGHAN/EFE

 The Brazilian attacker, who scored Madrid’s second goal against Dortmund at Wembley, caught up with the rapper after lifting the trophy.

Real Madrid won the Champions League/European Cup for the 15th time in their history against Borussia Dortmund at Wembley, where a whole host of stars turned out to watch the biggest game in club soccer.

Many of them were among the sport’s biggest names, including former Madrid star Gareth Bale, ex-Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp and Manchester United legend Sir Alex Ferguson.

However, others were names we perhaps might associate less with “the beautiful game,” including pre-game performer Lenny Kravitz and rapper Jay-Z, who watched on from the stands.

What is Jay-Z’s connection to Vinícius Júnior? Why did they take a selfie together?

The 54-year-old, real name Shawn Corsy Carter, does, however, have a close link to one of the men who decided the game in the Spanish team’s favour: Vinicius Junior.

After Real Madrid had secured the win and lifted the trophy, the Brazilian winger briefly interrupted his celebrations with his teammates to take a selfie with the musician. Roc Nation Sports, a sports management company founded by Jay-Z in 2013, last year acquired the Brazilian TFM agency, which represents Vinícius, who scored the LaLia giants’ second goal against Dortmund.

The rapper also has another tie to soccer through his friendship with former Arsenal, Barcelona and New York Red Bulls striker Thierry Henry and has previously spoken of his liking for The Gunners. Reports even surfaces that at one point he had contemplated investing in the Premier League club.

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