Former Premier League striker Chris Sutton has criticized Kylian Mbappé’s performance following Real Madrid’s 2-0 defeat to Liverpool in the Champions League on Wednesday night.

The French forward had the chance to equalize for Real Madrid from the penalty spot in the second half, with the Reds leading 1-0, but his attempt was saved by Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher.

Although Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah also missed a penalty earlier in the match, the home team extended their lead when Cody Gakpo scored from a corner.

Sutton, speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live after the game, expressed his concerns about Mbappé’s struggles in his debut season at Real Madrid.

He pointed out that the 25-year-old was far from his usual self in this match.

“At the moment, something seems to be missing for Kylian Mbappé at Real Madrid, and that’s going to be a real puzzle for Carlo Ancelotti,” Sutton said.

“Let’s be honest, he had a terrible game tonight. He missed the penalty and was nowhere near his best.

The idea of him joining Real Madrid was to elevate the team to the next level, but it hasn’t quite clicked for him yet.”

Mbappé’s move to Madrid was seen as a significant moment for the club, with many expecting him to be the catalyst for Real Madrid’s next era of dominance, both domestically and in Europe.

However, his start at the club has been far from smooth.

Despite his immense talent and potential, he has faced challenges adjusting to the team’s dynamics and has yet to fully replicate the form that made him one of the best players in the world during his time at Paris Saint-Germain.