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
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
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:
Ibrahima Konate plays down injury and ‘will be ready’ for Liverpool’s next match
Liverpool have been given a big boost as centre-back Ibrahima Konate confirmed his arm injury will not force him to miss any games for the club.
The defender sustained a knock in this weekend’s 2-1 victory Premier League over Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday and was replaced at half-time by Joe Gomez.
There were worries that Konate had done serious damage to his arm which would have put him on the sidelines for a number of weeks.
Ibrahima Konate plays down injury and ‘will be ready’ for Liverpool’s next match
The centre-back was subbed off during the Reds’ Premier League clash with Brighton
Liverpool’s early team news
Liverpool remain without long-term absentees Alisson Becker, Diogo Jota and Harvey Elliott.
Federico Chiesa isn’t expected to feature until after the international break and Ibrahima Konate may not be risked after injuring his hand at the weekend, though he has said he shouldn’t miss any matches because of it.
Where can I watch it?
The match will be shown live on Amazon Prime Video. Subscribers can stream the game on the Prime Video app across any device or compatible smart TV.
If you’re not an Amazon Prime Video subscriber start a free 30-day trial here.
If you want to stream major sporting events while you are travelling or watching from abroad you’ll need a VPN. Get the best VPN deals in the UK. Viewers using a VPN need to make sure that they comply with any local regulations where they are, and also with the terms of their service provider.
When is the match?
Liverpool v Leverkusen kicks off at 8pm GMT on Tuesday 5 November.
Liverpool vs Leverkusen
Xabi Alonso heads to his former club in midweek as Bayer Leverkusen travel to Merseyside to face Liverpool in the Champions League.
Last season the German Bundesliga side swept almost all before them as they sealed a domestic double, falling short only in the Europa League final. They’ve not been quite as relentless this term so far, winning four of their nine games and sitting fourth in the table, but they have taken seven points from three games in Europe and will present formidable opposition for the Reds.
Under Arne Slot, though, it has been a near-perfect first campaign for the Anfield club. A turnaround win over Brighton at the weekend put the Reds top of the Premier League with eight wins from ten - and they have a 100 per cent record in Europe too after beating AC Milan, Bologna and RB Leipzig already.
Triumph over Leverkusen now and their Champions League-winning former midfield playmaker Alonso, and Slot’s side will be all but through already to the knockout stages in the new year.
Good evening!
Welcome to The Independent’s coverage of tonight’s Champions League action as Liverpool play host to Bayer Leverkusen.
Xabi Alonso makes his return to Anfield after rumours linked him to the managerial position following Jurgen Klopp’s departure but the Spaniard decided to remain at with Leverkusen having led them to a Bundesliga title.
The German side come up against Arne Slot’s Reds tonight. Liverpool have not lost in the Champions League this term and sit second behind Aston Villa in the table.
Tonight’s contest should be a good one and we’ll have all the team news, line-ups and more throughout the evening so stick with us as we build up to kick off at 8pm.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments