Liverpool vs Bayer Leverkusen LIVE: Champions League result and reaction as Diaz hat-trick gives Reds easy win
Liverpool 4-0 Bayer Leverkusen: The Reds are top of the Champions League after a rout at Anfield
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Your support makes all the difference.Liverpool moved to the top of the Champions League table and kept their European winning streak going with a fine outing against Bayer Leverkusen at Anfield.
Xabi Alonso’s German champions were solid and secure in a tentative first half that lacked quality in front of goal. Luis Diaz found the goalkeeper’s gloves and Jeremie Frimpong had a goal ruled out for offside as the teams traded blows.
The second half was all Liverpool. Three goals, two for Diaz and one for Cody Gakpo ensured they left the field with three points and another notch to Arne Slot’s reputation. Diaz’s first was made by Curtis Jones who slipped a fine pass into the box before Diaz chipped the goalkeeper to open the scoring.
Mo Salah then set up the second with a cross to Gakpo who headed home a few minutes later. That broke Leverkusen’s resistance and the Reds added a late third as Salah found Diaz for his second of the night.
Diaz wasn’t done though. With three minutes of added time, Liverpool countered and Darwin Nunez set Diaz up to complete his hat-trick.
Relive the Champions League action with our live blog below:
Liverpool 0-0 Leverkusen
24 mins: Jeremie Frimpong catches a little clip from Van Dijk as he enters the Liverpool box. He takes another couple of steps then falls over hoping for a penalty.
The referee says no as does the VAR.
Leverkusen are upping their threat levels though.
Liverpool 0-0 Leverkusen
21 mins: At the other end of the pitch Granit Xhaka takes the first shot for Leverkusen. It’s a rather hopeful one from outside the penalty area which strikes Van Dijk on the head.
The defender manages to ge the ball clear then rubs his face with a grimace of agony.
Liverpool 0-0 Leverkusen
18 mins: Arne Slot will be pleased with this start. Virgil van Dijk floats a pass over to Mo Salah. Liverpool throw men over to the right side of the box and the effort comes from Salah setting up Diaz.
Diaz shoots but can’t beat the closest defender.
Liverpool 0-0 Leverkusen
15 mins: Chance!
A lovely flick down the left wing from Kostas Tsimikas sends Luis Diaz on his way up the pitch. He darts inside and rolls a pass into the box for Mo Salah.
Salah thinks about a shot but sets up Curtis Jones instead. Jones runs onto the ball and drills his effort at goal but watches it land safely in the arms of Lukas Hradecky.
Liverpool 0-0 Leverkusen
12 mins: Leverkusen have settled slightly after Liverpool’s strong start. They’re seeing more of the ball and forcing the Reds into deeper areas to defend.
Liverpool are quick on that counter attack though so the visitors need to remain wary.
Liverpool 0-0 Leverkusen
9 mins: Leverkusen use their width for the first time in attack with Frimpong getting wide on the right wing. He whips a cross into the middle of the box but Ibrahima Konate is there to nod the ball away.
He stays down after his clearance and seemingly took a painful hit to the face. He’s okay though.
Liverpool 0-0 Leverkusen
7 mins: Nearly!
Another turn over and Liverpool’s front three fly forward. Mo Salah brings the ball then nestles it across to Luis Diaz. He takes it up to the box then releases a pass to Cody Gakpo.
Gakpo shoots with an effort across goal only for the ball to get deflected by Jeremie Frimpong.
Liverpool 0-0 Leverkusen
6 mins: Liverpool have been strong over these opening minutes at winning the ball back in the middle of the pitch.
They work it quickly over to Gakpo again and he comes inside this time, dummies out of a first challenge then shoots and hits the next defender who blocks the effort on the edge of the box.
Liverpool 0-0 Leverkusen
3 mins: Nice!
Cody Gakpo has set up on the left side for Liverpool and is fed into a bit of space. He drives up to the box and squares a pass towards Luis Diaz in the centre.
Alejandro Grimaldo cuts into the box from his position as left wingback and hooks the ball clear.
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