Another night of celebration at Anfield. On Tuesday, Liverpool welcomed Bayer Leverkusen and made it clear why they are one of the favorites to win the Champions League, beating the visitors 4-0. The stunning performance by Luis Díaz stole the show, scoring three of Liverpool's four goals in the victory to keep the Reds perfect in the competition. At 12 points through four matches, Liverpool remains firmly atop their group.
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That was the first defeat for Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League this season, and the task of traveling to Anfield to take on Liverpool proved a sour pill to swallow. Under the astute Arne Slot, Liverpool have continued playing an entertaining, functional brand of soccer that yields results.**
Luis Díaz: The Reds' Goal Machine
After the first half of quietness, Luis Díaz exploded in talent during the second half. The number 7 opened the score 15 minutes into the game and got a pass from Jones and, with a delicate touch, chipped it over keeper Hradecky. That was just but the beginning.
Four minutes later, Salah appeared on the right and sent an exact cut cross to Gakpo, who planted his header home and doubled the Reds' lead. Still reeling, Salah found a perfect cross up once again to find Díaz at the heart of the German defense to send into the net. In injury time, Díaz wrapped up his hat-trick with a rebound off a play started by Darwin Núñez to seal the win in style.
Xabi Alonso's Bitter Return to Anfield
Xabi Alonso, the current manager of Bayer Leverkusen, came back to the venue where he once dazzled as a Liverpool player. Warmed up well by fans before kickoff, Alonso was hoping for a different result, but he found himself facing an opponent who never relented. His Leverkusen side held firm in the first half but crumbled in the second under the Reds' fierce attack.
This defeat proves to be a lesson learned for Bayer Leverkusen. Going at Liverpool to Anfield, in the long run, asks for far more than just tactical strength. Alonso and his team go home with the task of repairing their shortcomings and attempting to perform an immediate bounce in the competition.
Liverpool Unstoppable in the Champions League
This victory against LASK leaves Liverpool as the only undefeated team in its group, which is great proof of their good performance on the pitch. The solitary leadership of the team and consistency from the players under Arne Slot confirm the Reds as one of the strongest contenders for the further stages of the Champions League. Further, with Díaz's offensive sparkle and with better understanding with Salah and Gakpo, Liverpool has been solid in every area of the pitch.
The fact that Liverpool has been able to keep a perfect record in the group stage is not just a sigh of relief; it is a merit indicator showing that the team has grown stronger and more prepared for further stages of the Champions League.