Luis Diaz struck a hat-trick and Cody Gakpo was also heading in the correct direction as Liverpool maintained their splendid originate 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 neatly-drilled by the worn Reds midfielder became coach and restricted Arne Slot’s males to few openings in a main-half in which either side cancelled one one more out. That all and sundry modified in a two-intention surge past the hour as the Merseysiders seized management of the proceedings.
First, Diaz raced on to Curtis Jones’ luxurious pass to invent an prankish dinked finish on 61 minutes, earlier than Gakpo’s thumping header made it two factual two minutes later as VAR intervened to rule his intention onside from Mo Salah’s irascible.
Diaz then put the icing on the cake seven minutes from time as he transformed one other amazing delivery from Salah, earlier than helping himself to the match ball with a straightforward finish in stoppage time. It capped a vibrant and heaps-improved second-half showing from the dwelling team and left worn Kop hero Alonso on the receiving close of one other magical European evening at Anfield.
The tip result sees Liverpool stand on my own at the pinnacle of the UEFA Champions League neighborhood standings with four wins from four. Leverkusen are 5 points extra abet in 11th space after suffering their first loss in the competitors.
Liverpool will now seek for to maintain top intention in the Premier League after they entertain Aston Villa at Anfield on Saturday evening.
Talking Point – Slot’s (Pink) machine continues to designate on all fronts
Top of the UEFA Champions League’s revamped neighborhood stage and top of the Premier League; Liverpool beneath Arne Slot are living up to Alonso’s pre-match phrases describing them as currently ‘essentially the most productive team in Europe.’
In one more universe doubtless Alonso would had been in the dwelling dugout tonight as the successor to Jurgen Klopp.
Instead, the Leverkusen boss felt the plump power of Anfield on a European evening; a sensation that was once in his favour however successfully blew his German champions away in a sizzling second 45 from the Merseysiders.
It says powerful about Slot’s influence, that the loss of Klopp and failure to lure Alonso to Anfield in the summer season is removed from the minds of Kopites as the Dutchman oversaw a 14th win from 16 fits in cost.
Indeed, Liverpool continue to have the attacking power that was a feature beneath Klopp, however there is now a solidity at the abet that’s seeing them emerge as main contenders in all competitions this season.
Participant of the match
Luis Diaz (Liverpool). The Colombian netted his first treble for the membership, starting it off with a rather savory, dinked finish and adding two extra to cap a fine, all-motion demonstrate.
Participant ratings
LIVERPOOL: Kelleher 8, Alexander-Arnold 7, Konate 8, Van Dijk 8, Tsimikas 7, Jones 8, Gravenberch 8, Mac Allister 7, Salah 8, Gakpo 8, Diaz 9*. Subs: Szoboszlai 7, Nunez n/a, Robertson n/a, Bradley n/a, Quansah n/a.
BAYER LEVERKUSEN: Hradecky 7, Tapsoba 7, Tah 6, Hincapie 7, Frimpong 7, Palacios 6, Xhaka 6, Grimaldo 6, Wirtz 7, Garcia 6, Boniface 6. Subs: Hofmann 6, Andrich 6, Schick n/a, Tella n/a.
Match Highlights
61’ – GOAL! – Liverpool 1-0 Bayer Leverkusen: (Luis Diaz). Jones threads a sublime ball thru for Diaz, who dinks a savory finish past the ‘keeper.
63’ – GOAL! – Liverpool 2-0 Bayer Leverkusen: (Cody Gakpo). Gakpo thumps a most interesting header dwelling from Salah’s supreme irascible. It’s initially dominated out for offside, however VAR assessments and the determination is … Onside! Liverpool have two in two minutes!
69’ – Bayer Leverkusen chance! Boniface guides a free header vast from a staunch-wing irascible. That was a vast, vast chance to minimize the arrears.
83’ – GOAL! – Liverpool 3-0 Bayer Leverkusen: (Luis Diaz). It’s Luis Diaz at the double. The Colombian makes definite of the points as he takes down Salah’s irascible and prods a shut-range finish into the abet of the online.
90+2’ – GOAL! – Liverpool 4-0 Bayer Leverkusen: (Luis Diaz). Nunez leads a lightning damage. He cuts inside and shoots. It’s miles a contact greedy however the ball falls kindly for Diaz to brush it dwelling and lend a hand himself to the match ball.
