Post by bluetornados on Nov 5, 2024 22:34:51 GMT
Tuesday 5th November 2024 - UEFA Champions League - League Stage
Liverpool 4 (Diaz 61, 83, 90+2, Gakpo 63) Bayer Leverkusen 0
i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/11/05/21/91714701-14045259-image-a-66_1730842188059.jpg
Liverpool's Luis Diaz has scored two or more goals in three separate games this season
i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/11/05/21/91714715-14045259-image-a-67_1730842193740.jpg
Cody Gakpo scored Liverpool's 2nd goal
i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/11/05/22/91713045-14045259-image-a-77_1730844794256.jpg
Former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso returned to Anfield with his Bayer Leverkusen side on Tuesday night
i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/11/05/22/91716883-14045259-image-a-79_1730844914627.jpg
Liverpool have now won 14 of their first 16 matches in all competitions this season
Match report by Phil McNulty, Chief football writer at Anfield
Xabi Alonso's emotional return to Anfield ended in heavy defeat with Luis Diaz scoring a hat-trick as Liverpool maintained their flawless Champions League record by overpowering Bayer Leverkusen.
Alonso remains a hugely popular figure at Liverpool after winning the Champions League in 2005 and was heavily touted to succeed Jurgen Klopp this summer until he decided to stay in Germany.
Arne Slot was eventually appointed and his outstanding start continued as Liverpool once again recovered from a sluggish first half to overwhelm Leverkusen, who had controlled them comfortably before the break.
Luis Diaz broke the deadlock after 61 minutes with a deft lofted finish over keeper Lukas Hradecky from Curtis Jones' pass, Cody Gakpo adding the second two minutes later from Mohamed Salah's cross - the goal initially ruled out for offside before being given after a Video Assistant Referee review.
Diaz was on target again with a close-range finish seven minutes from time to give the scoreline an emphatic appearance that did not seem likely in the low-key, uneventful first period.
And there was still time for the Colombian to smash home a rebound to take home the matchball after substitute Darwin Nunez had his effort blocked.
The win means Liverpool stay at the top of the new Champions League format standings with a maximum 12 points from four games.
Liverpool 4 (Diaz 61, 83, 90+2, Gakpo 63) Bayer Leverkusen 0
i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/11/05/21/91714701-14045259-image-a-66_1730842188059.jpg
Liverpool's Luis Diaz has scored two or more goals in three separate games this season
i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/11/05/21/91714715-14045259-image-a-67_1730842193740.jpg
Cody Gakpo scored Liverpool's 2nd goal
i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/11/05/22/91713045-14045259-image-a-77_1730844794256.jpg
Former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso returned to Anfield with his Bayer Leverkusen side on Tuesday night
i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/11/05/22/91716883-14045259-image-a-79_1730844914627.jpg
Liverpool have now won 14 of their first 16 matches in all competitions this season
Match report by Phil McNulty, Chief football writer at Anfield
Xabi Alonso's emotional return to Anfield ended in heavy defeat with Luis Diaz scoring a hat-trick as Liverpool maintained their flawless Champions League record by overpowering Bayer Leverkusen.
Alonso remains a hugely popular figure at Liverpool after winning the Champions League in 2005 and was heavily touted to succeed Jurgen Klopp this summer until he decided to stay in Germany.
Arne Slot was eventually appointed and his outstanding start continued as Liverpool once again recovered from a sluggish first half to overwhelm Leverkusen, who had controlled them comfortably before the break.
Luis Diaz broke the deadlock after 61 minutes with a deft lofted finish over keeper Lukas Hradecky from Curtis Jones' pass, Cody Gakpo adding the second two minutes later from Mohamed Salah's cross - the goal initially ruled out for offside before being given after a Video Assistant Referee review.
Diaz was on target again with a close-range finish seven minutes from time to give the scoreline an emphatic appearance that did not seem likely in the low-key, uneventful first period.
And there was still time for the Colombian to smash home a rebound to take home the matchball after substitute Darwin Nunez had his effort blocked.
The win means Liverpool stay at the top of the new Champions League format standings with a maximum 12 points from four games.