Liverpool 4-0 Bayer Leverkusen – Reds maintain 100% Champions League record at expense of former hero Xabi Alonso 

A Luiz Diaz hat-trick saw Liverpool make it four wins from four in this season’s Champions League group phase after thrashing German Champions Bayer Leverkusen – managed by former Kop legend Xabi Alonso – 4-0. A cagey first half burst into life after the break as Diaz lit up Anfield with three goals in addition to Cody Gakpo’s header.

Luis Diaz of Liverpool celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD4 match between Liverpool FC and Bayer 04 Leverkusen at Anfield on November 05, 2024 in Liverpool, Engla

Luis Diaz struck a hat-trick and Cody Gakpo was also on target as Liverpool maintained their perfect start to the UEFA Champions League with a rampant 4-0 victory over Bayer Leverkusen that soured Xabi Alonso’s Anfield return.

The Bundesliga champions were initially well-drilled by the former Reds midfielder turned coach and restricted Arne Slot’s men to few openings in a first-half in which both sides cancelled each other out. That all changed in a two-goal surge past the hour as the Merseysiders seized control of the proceedings.

First, Diaz raced on to Curtis Jones’ sumptuous pass to produce an impish dinked finish on 61 minutes, before Gakpo’s thumping header made it two just two minutes later as VAR intervened to rule his goal onside from Mo Salah’s

Alonso dismisses Liverpool talk, but Slot is impressed

Diaz then put the icing on the cake seven minutes from time as he converted another superb delivery from Salah before helping himself to the match ball with a simple finish in stoppage time. It capped a vibrant and much-improved second-half showing from the home team and left former Kop hero, Alonso on the receiving end of another magical European night at Anfield.

The result sees Liverpool stand alone at the top of the UEFA Champions League group standings with four wins from four. Leverkusen are five points further back in 11th place after suffering their first loss in the competition.

Liverpool will now look to maintain top spot in the Premier League when they entertain Aston Villa at Anfield on Saturday night.