Alonso shocked as Diaz runs riot

Luis Diaz scored a superb hat-trick to make it a depressing Anfield return for Xabi Alonso.

Colombia winger Diaz was recalled to the beginning line-up after being rested for Saturday’s win in opposition to Brighton and made essentially the most of his alternative, scoring thrice within the second half after Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen had shaded a low-key opening 45 minutes.

Cody Gakpo was additionally on the scoresheet as Liverpool maintained their 10o per cent report within the Champions League this season.

Former Liverpool midfielder Alonso, who was reportedly thought-about as a successor to Jurgen Klopp earlier than Arne Slot obtained the job, was afforded a heat welcome again on Merseyside however he’ll go away alarmed on the approach his staff capitulated as the house facet moved seamlessly by the gears.

Prime of the Premier League.

Prime of the Champions League.

Scoring objectives and preserving clear sheets for enjoyable.

The Arne Slot period is nicely underway 👏 pic.twitter.com/PhxGPXaclI

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Calm earlier than the storm

For all of the noise and fervour that accompanied the kick-off, the opening to the sport was subdued with neither facet in a position to create any notable possibilities.

Alonso was on his toes after 21 minutes asking for a penalty as Jeremie Frimpong went down below the problem of Virgil van Dijk however referee Danny Makkelie was unmoved.

Leverkusen had been the higher facet with Liverpool’s solely probability within the opening 40 minutes coming courtesy of a Trent Alexander-Arnold free-kick that hit the wall and went behind for a nook.

Mohamed Salah then examined Lukas Hradecky with a shot that introduced a routine save from the visiting goalkeeper.

Leverkusen had been left cursing the officiating as soon as once more on the stroke of half-time. Frimpong beat Kostas Tsimikas down the suitable earlier than reducing inside and slotting his shot previous Caoimhin Kelleher.

Makkelie penalised his fellow Dutchman for handball within the build-up, nevertheless, and VAR backed his resolution.

The sport continued to trundle alongside till it sparked into life in a frantic remaining half hour.

Liverpool v Leverkusen = The Luis Diaz Present ✨

All three objectives from the Colombian of their 4-0 victory… ⚽️⚽️⚽️#UCLonPrime pic.twitter.com/fqh6uW0aQq

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First aim opens floodgates

Liverpool’s opener after 61 minutes was the catalyst. Curtis Jones was the architect with a beautiful, defence-splitting ball and Diaz did the remainder with a intelligent, chipped end over the advancing Hradecky.

It was 2-0 two minutes later, Salah crossing for Gakpo to move dwelling, the aim given after a prolonged VAR examine.

The hitherto boisterous Leverkusen followers had been shocked they usually nearly witnessed a Liverpool third after 72 minutes however Alexis Mac Allister’s shot was nicely saved by Hradecky earlier than Alexander-Arnold blazed the rebound over the bar.

It proved to be transient respite for the German champions as Diaz struck once more after 83 minutes. Salah was once more the creator with a right-wing cross that Diaz transformed on the far submit after shrugging off the problem of Jonas Hofmann.

Anfield was bouncing however Diaz was not finished but and the previous Porto winger netted once more in harm time, reacting quickest after substitute Darwin Nunez’s shot was blocked by Piero Hincapie.