Liverpool 4 Bayer Leverkusen 0: Xabi Alonso leaves empty-handed after returning to Anfield as Luis Diaz scores hat-trick

Xabi Alonso has seen it many times before: the visiting team completely collapses on a European night before the Kop.

Unfortunately for Bayer Leverkusen The manager, back at his former home at Anfield, could do nothing to prevent his side from being beaten brutally in the second half.

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Alonso’s side, who won the League and German Cup double last season, arrived on Merseyside with swagger and performed reasonably well.

However, within three minutes everything went wrong. And then it got even worse.

Luis Diaz scored a stunning first goal and the home side were out for blood – even though it was Alonso’s goal – Cody Gakpo headed the second, although this was initially ruled out VAR.

Diaz then made his second and then his third, completing his first Liverpool hat-trick. This capped a brilliant second half, the best in Arne Slot’s short reign.

Liverpool played with such pace and intensity and they were alert when it really mattered, against a really decent defence.

This will be very difficult for Alonso to watch. He could get a job at Liverpool if he wanted, and maybe one day he’ll get a job at Merseyside.

But for now, Liverpool will be delighted with Slot’s appointment. Now there are 14 wins, one draw and a loss.

Liverpool struggled against Brighton on Saturday but, after conceding, hit back with two goals in as many minutes.

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And they used similar whirlwind play to knock out Leverkusen, who were brilliantly organized defensively but then horribly vulnerable.

Sloth already seems to get the big decisions right. He only made two changes from the Brighton game and those were Luiz and Curtis Joneswho brilliantly converted the first goal.

Perhaps Alonso should have known this would be one of those nights.

The Spanish manager wasn’t far wrong, but he couldn’t have timed his exit from the tunnel better before kick-off because it was just as the Liverpool fans started booing Champions League hymn.

It is strange that after leaving Liverpool in 2009, despite having played for both clubs, real Madrid And Bayern MunichAlonso never returned to Anfield as a player.

He also touched the ‘This is Anfield’ sign before emerging from the tunnel to see his team warming up.

But when he walked out before kick-off to jeers, Alonso still greeted the fans in the main stand, who applauded him as he reached his seat.

Before the game, Alonso claimed that Liverpool were the best team in Europe. Despite an easy start to the Premier League, their recent results have been impressive.

Leverkusen had more possession – 58 per possession in the first half – and they even created the odd chance.

Former Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka struck by lightning that struck Virgil van Dijk and, unsurprisingly, baffled the Reds captain.

Dutch referee Danny Makkelie stopped the game for his fellow countryman.

Leverkusen forward Victor Boniface was a handful, although he needed treatment after he bumped into the advertising hoardings in front of the Kop after firing into the side netting.

Likewise, Alonso’s team defended well with a back five when Liverpool were in possession and gave them very few opportunities.

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Gakpo also should have done better and not fired straight at goalkeeper Lukasz Hradecky, although this came after the home side had had a major scare.

Jeremy Frimpong thought he had given Leverkusen the lead with a stunning strike, but the linesman correctly spotted the handball – although it was accidental – the Dutchman rounded Kostas Tsimikas before beating Caoimhin Kelleher with your shot.

Liverpool were still struggling in the second half and when Mo Salah did get a golden chance it came on his right foot and he missed the chance completely.

Something special was needed and Curtis Jones provided it with a quality pass and Diaz scored the opening goal absolutely superbly in the 61st minute.

Slot will be delighted with this combination, given his tactical decision before the start of the match.

Gakpo thought his header from Salah’s brilliant cross had been ruled out for offside, but it was ruled out after a VAR check.

And it was another cross from Salah that saw Dias having too much power for the defender before unleashing a third from close range.

He then completed his hat-trick in stoppage time from close range and grabbed the ball.

It already seems clear that Liverpool will finish in the top eight of the Champions League, meaning they will miss out on the play-off round in February.

And given how many games Slot’s team could play this year, giving up a couple of European games could be crucial.

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