DIAZ TREBLE SINKS ALONSO’S LIVER CUSHION AS REDS REMAIN PERFECT IN UCL

Luis Diaz scored a hat-trick and Cody Gakpo was also on target as Liverpool maintained their perfect start to the UEFA Champions League with a rampant 4-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen that soured Xabi Alonso’s return to Anfield.

The Bundesliga champions were initially well trained by the former Reds midfielder turned coach and limited Arne Slot’s men to a few openings in a first half that saw both sides eliminate each other.

That all changed in a two-goal flurry after the hour as the Merseysiders took control of proceedings.

First, Diaz raced through to Curtis Jones’ sumptuous pass for a mischievous finish on 61 minutes, before Gakpo’s thumping header made it two two minutes later as VAR intervened to rule his goal onside from Mo Salah’s cross .

Diaz then put the icing on the cake seven minutes from time when he converted another brilliant throw from Salah before helping himself to the match ball with an easy finish in stoppage time.

It capped off a lively and much-improved display from the home side in the second half and left former Kop hero Alonso on the receiving end of another magical European night at Anfield.

The result leaves Liverpool alone at the top of the UEFA Champions League group standings with four wins from four.

Leverkusen is five points further in ninth place after its first defeat in the competition.
Liverpool will now look to retain top spot in the Premier League when they host Aston Villa at Anfield on Saturday evening.

Leverkusen, fourth in the Bundesliga, visits Bochum.