Anfield was a cauldron of emotion as Xabi Alonso made his return to Liverpool, but the fairytale comeback quickly turned sour for the former Reds midfielder as Luis Diaz’s sensational hat-trick secured a dominant 4-0 victory for Liverpool.
The win saw Arne Slot’s side maintain their flawless record in the new Champions League format, extending their perfect start to four wins from four games, while also continuing Alonso’s personal disappointment in his first return to Merseyside as Bayer Leverkusen’s head coach.
Alonso, a beloved figure at Liverpool after playing an integral part in their 2005 Champions League victory, was tipped to succeed Klopp this summer, but chose to stay with Leverkusen after a successful start to life as a manager.
His return to the club that helped shape his career was marred by a second-half surge from the Reds that saw them break through a stubborn Leverkusen defense.
A Slow Start Turns Into Second-Half Brilliance
In what was a contrasting 45 minutes, Liverpool’s performance shifted dramatically after the interval. In the first half, Leverkusen controlled the tempo, frustrating Liverpool’s attempts to break them down.
The home side, typically electric at Anfield, found themselves subdued, unable to string together meaningful attacks as the Bundesliga side enjoyed possession and played with cool composure.
Alonso, aware of the challenge ahead, urged his players to remain calm and resist the pressure from the Anfield crowd.
His gestures, constantly urging his players to “calm down,” appeared to work in the opening half, as Leverkusen successfully neutralized Liverpool’s attacking threats, keeping the game at a goalless stalemate.
But as the second half unfolded, Liverpool’s attacking intensity proved too much for the visitors to handle.
The breakthrough came just after the hour mark when Curtis Jones slipped a perfectly weighted pass to Luis Diaz. The Colombian winger took one touch before delicately lofting the ball over the advancing Leverkusen keeper Lukas Hradecky to give Liverpool the lead.
The goal turned the tide. The crowd came alive, and Liverpool’s attacking verve, which had been lacking in the first half, came to the fore. Just two minutes later, Liverpool doubled their advantage.
Mohamed Salah, who had been quiet in the first period, swung a cross into the box for Cody Gakpo. The Dutchman’s finish was initially ruled out for offside, but a VAR review confirmed the goal stood, much to the relief of the home side.
Diaz Completes His Hat-Trick
By this stage, the floodgates had opened. Bayer Leverkusen, who had held Liverpool at bay for so long, suddenly found themselves scrambling to contain a rampant attack.
In the 83rd minute, Diaz bagged his second of the evening, finishing a close-range strike after Hradecky failed to keep out a powerful shot from substitute Darwin Núñez.
The Colombian winger had been a thorn in Leverkusen’s defense all night, and his second goal was a clear demonstration of his clinical edge in front of goal.
But Diaz wasn’t done yet. In injury time, after Núñez had another shot blocked, Diaz was first to react, smashing home the rebound to complete his hat-trick and seal an emphatic 4-0 victory.
It was the perfect way for the Colombian to make his mark on the Champions League, and his performance was the standout of the evening.
Liverpool’s defenders, led by Virgil van Dijk, were equally crucial in the win, ensuring that Bayer Leverkusen were never able to mount a serious challenge after the break.
Keeper Caoimhin Kelleher, who was largely untroubled, was alert when required and dealt with Leverkusen’s rare forays into Liverpool’s half with ease.
A Night of Mixed Emotions for Xabi Alonso
For Alonso, the defeat was a painful reminder of the challenge ahead of him at Leverkusen. The Spaniard had made his feelings clear before the match, emphasizing the significance of keeping a cool head in such an emotionally charged atmosphere.
His calm approach worked well in the first half, but the second-half collapse left him and his team deflated.
Despite the result, Alonso could be proud of his team’s disciplined performance in the opening period. His side were composed, patient, and efficient, denying Liverpool the chance to build any momentum.
In the dressing room, Alonso would have likely praised his players for executing the game plan to near perfection for 45 minutes.
However, once Liverpool found their rhythm, the visitors were powerless to stop the attacking juggernaut that was unleashed in the second half.
Alonso, a key figure in Liverpool’s 2005 Champions League triumph, had hoped to add another chapter to his history with the club by leading his side to an upset victory at Anfield. Unfortunately for the former Liverpool captain, it was not to be.
The defeat also ended any hopes of a surprise result for Leverkusen, who had initially held Liverpool at arm’s length.
Alonso’s measured gestures in the first half, urging calm from his players, were increasingly futile as the home side found their gears and dismantled his defense with ruthless precision.
Liverpool’s Impressive Performance Under Arne Slot
For Liverpool’s current manager, Arne Slot, the victory marked another important step in his remarkable tenure at the helm. Slot, appointed in the summer following Klopp’s departure, had been under pressure to prove he could continue the legacy of success at the club.
While Klopp’s exuberant touchline presence was famously characterized by fist-pumping celebrations and high-energy antics, Slot’s understated demeanor contrasted sharply with his predecessor’s.
But his ability to get Liverpool to perform when it matters most cannot be overstated. The team’s resilience and explosive second-half performance against Leverkusen highlighted the growing belief in Slot’s tactical philosophy.
His calm approach, though far removed from Klopp’s passion, had struck a chord with the team, and Liverpool’s collective spirit was evident in their relentless pursuit of victory.
With 12 points from four games, Liverpool are firmly on track to qualify for the knockout stages of the Champions League, with Slot’s tactics and leadership now firmly embedded in the club’s future.
Slot was quick to downplay his personal contribution after the match, instead deflecting the praise to his players, particularly Diaz, whose hat-trick was a masterclass in clinical finishing.
The Road Ahead
While Alonso’s return to Anfield was bittersweet, Liverpool’s performance highlighted their growing confidence under Slot’s guidance. With the Premier League and Champions League both well within their sights, Liverpool will look to continue their relentless pursuit of silverware in the second half of the season.
For Leverkusen and Alonso, the defeat offers valuable lessons ahead of the remainder of the campaign. Though their resilience was evident in the first half, the inability to cope with Liverpool’s intensity after the break will be a concern.
Alonso, ever the student of the game, will no doubt take stock of the lessons learned from his emotional return to Anfield as he works to continue Leverkusen’s progress on both domestic and European fronts.
