An outstanding second-half display from Liverpool saw them sweep away Xabi Alonso’s German champions 4-0 in the Champions League. A hat-trick from Luis Diaz and a header from Cody Gapko, which saw all four goals in front of a rapturous Kop, took Arne Slot’s men to the summit of the new 32 team Champions League format.
Bayer Leverkusen began the game in a confident and composed manner, restricting Liverpool to few chances. Likewise, Liverpool, with two changes to the starting 11, were solid and Leverkusen, whilst neat and tidy, created very little. Both teams nullifying each other, with next to no goal mouth action and neither goalkeeper was called into significant action.
What a contrast in the second half. Liverpool played quicker, took more risk with their forward passing and scored an exquisite goal just after the hour. A pinpoint diagonal pass from Curtis Jones finding Diaz, who lifted the ball over the advancing Bayer goalkeeper, with some aplomb.
As on Saturday, within minutes, it was two nil. This time Mo Salah found Gakpo with a far-post cross. VAR intervened, the Dutchman being adjudged to be just onside and his near goal line headed finish doubled the lead. Liverpool were flying, whilst the Bundesliga champions looked shell-shocked, facing their first away defeat for over 12 months.
Salah, having had an assist for Liverpool’s second goal, had another in the final 10 minutes. This time he found Diaz at the far post who, having put the defender on his backside, scored with ease from close range. Liverpool weren’t finished and, though Leverkusen perhaps didn’t deserve what turned out to be a drubbing, it became 4-0 in the 92nd minute. Diaz completed his hat-trick after Darwin Nunez, a late substitute, had seen his shot parried to the Colombian.
Liverpool now sit top in both league competitions and totally dominated an excellent Leverkusen side in a devastating second-half showing. Slot meanwhile, has barely put a foot wrong. The home defeat to this season’s surprise package, Nottingham Forest, was the only glitch. Of course, there’ll be those who’ll say he had an easy task in filling Jurgen Klopp’s shoes, yet history shows us taking over from a club legend anywhere is anything but easy. He surely deserves every credit and all the plaudits that will no doubt come his way.
