On an electrifying Champions League evening, Liverpool cruised to a 4-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen, preserving their unbeaten run in the tournament. The night held added significance with the return of Xabi Alonso to Anfield, this time as the manager of the German club. Alonso, a cherished member of Liverpool’s 2005 Champions League-winning squad, witnessed his team struggle against the Reds.
Colombian forward Luis Diaz stole the show, netting a hat-trick that sealed Liverpool’s victory and made Alonso’s homecoming an unforgettable one for fans and players alike.
It was Luis Diaz who opened the scoring in the 61st minute with a skillful lob over Bayer Leverkusen’s goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky, set up by Curtis Jones’ precise pass. Just two minutes later, Cody Gakpo doubled Liverpool’s lead, capitalizing on a cross from Mohamed Salah. Initially ruled offside, the goal was later awarded following a Video Assistant Referee review.
Diaz struck again in the 83rd minute, converting from close range to widen Liverpool’s lead after a quiet first half that showed little sign of the scoring flurry it had become. The Colombian completed his first hat-trick for the club in the final moments, slotting in a rebound after Darwin Nunez’s shot was blocked.
This victory cements Liverpool’s position at the top of the Champions League standings, with a perfect record of 12 points from four matches in the new tournament format.
