Two Real Madrid players ruthlessly booed every time they touch the ball vs Liverpool and fans now know why

Two Real Madrid players have been incessantly booed during the first half of their side's Champions League clash against Liverpool at Anfield - and fans have worked out exactly why.

A depleted Real side arrived in England missing several key players, including Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo and Daniel Carvajal, through varying degrees of injury.

Manager Carlo Ancelotti has been forced to field a youthful bench, while 21-year-old Raul Asencio is making his first Champions League start.

Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham, though, both started the clash at Anfield - but were booed by Liverpool fans during the first half.

It wouldn't immediately be clear why, as neither player has a connection to Liverpool nor have ever performed particularly well against them in the past.

But rather than either of those factors, fans are convinced that the fact that neither player chose to sign for the Reds instead of Real is the principal reason behind the boos.

One wrote: "Liverpool fans booing Bellingham and Mbappe because they didn't sign for them, deary me."

Another added: "Liverpool fans think they stood a chance to sign any of Mbappe or Bellingham."

A third said: "Liverpool fans booing Bellingham and Mbappe because they couldn't afford to sign them."

But another fan took a slightly different view: "They're booing Bellingham because he may be one of the reasons Trent moves to Real (they're good friends)."

Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham pictured before Real Madrid's Champions League fixture against Liverpool (Image: Getty)

Real went into the game having collected six points from their four Champions League group stage matches this season.

Meanwhile, Liverpool are the only team with a 100 per cent from their first four games, having conceded just one goal during that time.

The Reds haven't beaten tonight's opponents since a 4-0 win over them in the 2008/09 Champions League last 16 stage - and Arne Slot's side will be hoping for a return to winning ways against the reigning holders of the trophy tonight.