Xabi Alonso’s return to Anfield was a nightmare as Liverpool thrashed Bayer Leverkusen 4-0, with Luis Diaz scoring a brilliant hat-trick to send the Reds to the top of the Champions League table.
Despite a promising start to the season for Alonso’s side, including an unbeaten German league and cup double last year, his Leverkusen team struggled to find their rhythm against a dominant Liverpool. The Spaniard had described the fixture as a beautiful challenge, but his men were outclassed by Klopp’s side, who maintained their perfect European record after four games.
The first half was largely uneventful, with Leverkusen creating a few half-chances, but Liverpool came alive after the break. Diaz opened the scoring with a calm chip over goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky before Cody Gakpo doubled the lead. A VAR check confirmed Gakpo’s goal was legitimate, and soon after, Diaz struck again, completing his hat-trick with two more clinical finishes.
Despite some early moments of promise from Leverkusen, including a disallowed goal by Jeremie Frimpong and a missed chance from Victor Boniface, Alonso’s team couldn’t get a foothold in the game. The 4-0 result ensures Liverpool are almost certainly through to the knockout stages, and with 12 points, they’re well on their way to finishing in the top eight of the competition’s new league phase.
With Alonso’s side sitting fourth in the Bundesliga and struggling to live up to their impressive form of last season, this defeat leaves the German club with plenty to ponder as they aim to rebuild their European ambitions. Meanwhile, Liverpool’s performance further solidifies their title credentials across both domestic and European competitions.