Gareth Bale warned 'many things are not working' at Real Madrid after the club's dismal 2-0 defeat against Liverpool, but backed Kylian Mbappe to prove he 'is the best in the world'.

Madrid's Champions League title defence has been left in a precarious position after Wednesday's defeat at Anfield that saw both Alexis Mac Allister and Cody Gakpo get on the scoresheet.

Carlo Ancelotti's superstar side sit 25th in the newly-revised Champions League standings, while Liverpool moved back to top spot, and Madrid icon Bale believes things are in disarray at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Bale is a club icon in Spain having won five Champions League titles along with three LaLiga triumps and other major honours across a nine-year spell at the club.

The now-retired Welshman starred in a Madrid side featuring Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modric in their prime years, but still managed to become one of the world's best after coming through a difficult start at the club.

Bale has now issued words of support for Mbappe who is struggling to settle at Madrid and missed a crucial penalty against Anfield in what was a torrid showing from the Frenchman.

'He [Mbappe] is the best in the world and it is a matter of time before he proves it,' Bale told TNT Sports. 

'Salah and he have missed penalties, but since Liverpool won, we will only talk about Mbappé's.

'Liverpool have been much better by far. They dominated the game from start to finish,' he added.

Mbappe was played in his favoured left-wing role in the absence of Vincius Jnr but was ineffective against Liverpool's well-drilled defence and has subsequently been heavily criticised by Spanish press.

The 15-time European cup winners are facing an injury crisis with Vinicius joining Rodrygo, David Alaba, Eder Militao, Dani Carvajal and Aurelien Tchouameni on the sidelines.

Defensive injuries have forced Ancelotti into trying experimental formations and playing stars out of position, with Bale believing his former club are struggling to find a solution to their current crisis.

'It is very difficult to compete in these circumstances with so many injuries. Many things are not working at the moment [at Madrid]', said Bale.

'Real Madrid are going through a difficult period, but we know that they always find a way to overcome,' he added.