Courtois explains how he 'screwed up' pass to gift Liverpool two-goal lead

Thibaut Courtois has explained how he 'screwed up' his pass to gift Liverpool a two-goal lead after 14 minutes.

Real Madrid produced a stunning comeback from two goals down to earn a devastating 5-2 victory at Liverpool in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie on Tuesday.

However, a horrendous miscontrol from the Real goalkeeper, 30, left Salah with the simple task of slotting the ball home.

The Egyptian's tap-in was his 42nd for the Reds in the Champions League - breaking Steven Gerrard's record.

Describing his blunder, the Belgian said: 'The truth is that it was a bit of bad luck screwing it up like that, I controlled it well and at first I wanted to pass it, but I saw that Salah was standing still and I said well, I'll pass it to the right, but it bounces off my knee.

'The goal from Vini makes us breathe and then Alisson does the same, and we are strong on the counter.'

Real Madrid levelled in equally bizarre fashion as Liverpool counterpart Alisson Becker's attempted clearance stuck Vinicius Junior and looped into the net.

Courtois also praised Liverpool fans for their classy touch after applauding Luka Modric and Karim Benzema.

The pair were replaced by manager Carlo Ancelotti in the 87th minute and the Liverpool faithful gave them a classy send-off as they left the pitch to be replaced by Toni Kroos and Marco Ascensio.

He said: 'It's my first time playing Champions League football at Anfield when fans are in the stadium and the fact that there was applause from Liverpool supporters for Luka and Karim just proves that people here know how to appreciate guys who are great players.'

The European champions ran riot in the second half through Eder Militao and a Benzema double to all but seal their place in the quarter-finals and leave Jurgen Klopp's men humiliated.

Liverpool now have it all to do when they head for the second leg at Santiago Bernabeu next month, with four goals needed to win the tie.