They stemmed the bleeding at the Santiago Bernabeu, helped by stops by goalkeeper Alisson Becker, but never looked like mounting a stirring comeback of the type they managed against Barcelona in 2019, or AC Milan in the 2005 final.

“Madrid were in control of the whole game, Ali had to make two sensational saves to keep us in the game,” Klopp told reporters.

“Madrid were outstanding and that’s why the better team went through to the next round.”

Real have now knocked Liverpool out of the Champions League in three consecutive seasons.

“It was a complicated game but from the start we showed we wanted to go through, and we are in the quarterfinals,” Benzema told Movistar.

“Suffering is part of today’s football. Everyone wants more, but sometimes you have to suffer in a game – the most important thing is to win and go through.”

The 14-time record winners showed the nous to keep Liverpool at arm’s length, with defenders Eder Militao and Antonio Rudiger determined to shut out the visitors, along with goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.

Reigning champions Madrid could have significantly stretched their lead, save for a series of superb stops by Alisson and some unusually profligate finishing.

In the first leg, Madrid were lethal, with Vinicius Junior and Benzema netting twice each. Neither were as decisive this time.

Yet eventually they combined for Madrid’s winner after 78 minutes, with Vinicius slipping as he tried to shoot, but hooking the ball into Benzema’s path for a simple tap-in.

Madrid’s only worry was seeing their captain limp off after his goal amid an injury-hit season. Benzema said it was only a blow on the shin and coach Carlo Ancelotti confirmed he would be fit to face Barcelona in the Clasico on Sunday.

Liverpool, deeply inconsistent in this campaign, took heart from their 7-0 thrashing of Manchester United in the Premier League, but could not produce the same magic under the Bernabeu lights.

Klopp started with Diogo Jota alongside his usual attacking trio of Mohamed Salah, Darwin Nunez and Cody Gakpo, deploying as much firepower as he could to try to mount a comeback.

But Madrid sliced open Liverpool on various occasions, and Alisson made a stunning save to deny Vinicius from point-blank range.

Eduardo Camavinga crashed a long-range effort against the crossbar, with Alisson getting his fingertips to it. The Brazilian goalkeeper made further saves from Vinicius, Fede Valverde and Benzema as Madrid controlled the game.

Camavinga impressed in midfield and eventually helped create Benzema’s goal, with a driven pass forward in the build-up.

‘Unprofessional’ Man Utd suffer biggest loss in 90 years at Liverpool

Madrid played classic Liverpool anthem “You’ll Never Walk Alone” at the end of the game, at once a classy touch but also showing Liverpool never made them truly uncomfortable.

In Wednesday night’s other tie, Victor Osimhen made sure Napoli reached the last eight for the first time with a brace in a 3-0 stroll past Eintracht Frankfurt.

Nigeria striker Osimhen struck either side of half-time to ensure no slip-ups in Naples and help secure a straightforward 5-0 aggregate win. Piotr Zielinski added Napoli’s third goal from the penalty spot.