Vinicius Junior, the tormentor of Reds: This is my dream!

Vinicius Junior starred as Real Madrid earned a 3-1 first leg win over sloppy Liverpool in Madrid. The Brazilian pushed his team towards the Champions League semi-finals but the tie hasn’t been decided yet. A two-goal lead is a hefty advantage to carry into second leg.

The former Flamengo youngster was slated by the media for his sub-par finishing in the past but Vinicius made sure the critics took a few days off.

"People like to talk and I keep working. it gives me the strength I need to get into chances and score the goals we need. It was a very nice win. It was the best moment of the season so far."

Vinicius Junior scored twice as Real Madrid made Liverpool pay for more defensive errors on Tuesday, a 3-1 victory putting them in sight of the Champions League semi-finals. Vinicius and Marco Asensio both profited in the first half after darting behind Liverpool's makeshift back-line before a simple move from a throw-in gave Vinicius a simple finish in the second.

Mohamed Salah's strike shortly after the interval briefly made it a contest at Valdebebas, with an away goal certainly a significant consolation for Liverpool to take into the second leg at Anfield next week. Apart from Salah’s goal, Los Blancos didn’t let the Reds create much going forward, which makes Vinicius happy.

"We didn’t give them many chances to score. That’s how we need to play in the second leg too."

Vinicius ran over Liverpool, Real scored thee times against the Reds

The season is now gathering pace as Zinedine Zidane and his players prepare to take on their biggest rivals Barcelona on Saturday in their bid to mount a late La Liga surge. Their fifth consecutive victory last night should be another huge boost for the legendary Frenchman who is the first manager to hold a winning ratio of over 60 percent after 50 Champions League games.

"Nothing is close, nothing is won. We are alive in two competitions and we will keep fighting. We will start the second leg like it's 0-0 because it will be another very difficult game."

The first he fired between Alexander-Arnold and Nat Phillips for the scampering Vinicius, who did brilliantly to chest the ball beyond his opponents and shoot low into the Liverpool net. Yet another Madrid chance was not far away, as Liverpool failed to react to a throw-in down the right and Modric was allowed to drift inside, teeing up Vinicius to sidefoot in a second.

"I dreamed of playing for Real Madrid and I work hard to earn my place. I think it’s the desire I’ve got that pushes me forward. I always want to do the best for our fans."

The excellent Toni Kroos was given space at the base of midfield to dictate the tempo and it was a pair of arrowed balls forward from the German that put Madrid in charge. The former Bayern player is second to none if you ask Vinicius.

"Toni was amazing. He showed his class on the pitch. Nobody could touch him and nobody can play as well as he does. His passes made the difference."

Round one is over. Anfield awaits round two and Vinicius Junior will be there to torment the Reds again.