Benzema, the 35-year-old French striker, shone throughout the game, scoring twice and providing an assist.
Share:Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois apologised to Liverpool fans for their reaction to Karim Benzema and Luka Modric.
The Spanish giants thrashed Liverpool 5-2 at Anfield in a historic defeat for the Reds in their last-16 Champions League first-leg clash.
Benzema, the 35-year-old French striker, shone throughout the game, scoring twice and providing an assist.
Croatia international midfielder Modric, 37, also put in a strong performance and assisted as Liverpool fans paid tribute to both players at the end of the game.
‘It’s my first time playing Champions League football at Anfield when fans are in the stadium,’ said former Chelsea goalkeeper Courtois of Benzema and Modric’s reception from the home fans after the match.
‘The fact that there was applause from Liverpool fans for Luka and Karim just goes to show that people here know how to appreciate great players.’
He also discussed his own performance after making a huge error that led to Liverpool’s second goal, putting them up 2-0 before Real Madrid’s comeback.
‘That second Liverpool goal was slightly unfortunate that I messed up,’ Courtois explained.
‘I had the ball under control and wanted to pass it right away, but I noticed Mohamed Salah had stopped, so I changed my mind and tried to move it to my right foot, but it bounced off my knee.’
Quizzed about Real Madrid’s comeback, he said: ‘Vinicius Jr’s goal gave us wind beneath our wings and then Alisson Becker had a moment like mine and everyone knows that, on the counter-attack, we’re strong.
‘We are never beaten; we always respond. Those two quick goals certainly helped. We were mentally calm, and when we’re on a roll, we play well.’