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:
Liverpool 2-0 Leverkusen
66 mins: Liverpool have ramped up the tempo and the finishing. They now have a comfortable lead and look on course to finish the night at the top of the Champions League table.
Xabi Alonso needs to come up with a response.
GOAL! Liverpool 2-0 Leverkusen (Cody Gakpo, 63 mins)
Another one!
Liverpool sweep quickly up the pitch and find Salah on the right side. He touches the ball to the edge of the box then swings a cross over to the opposite side of the area.
Cody Gakpo is there and nods it into the back of the net.
A VAR check is needed to confirm the goal which was initially ruled offside. This one goes Liverpool’s way.
GOAL! Liverpool 1-0 Leverkusen (Luis Diaz, 61 mins)
There’s the breakthrough!
Curtis Jones makes this goal with a pass through three defenders to slip Luis Diaz into the box. Diaz has a quick glance at the goalkeeper then lifts it over him to open the scoring.
Arne Slot enjoyed that one.
Liverpool 0-0 Leverkusen
60 mins: An hour played at Anfield and the crowd have increased the noise in the hopes of getting their team onto the front foot and int othe final third.
Lukas Hradecky has been booked for time wasting. The Leverkusen goalkeeper had plentiful warnings from the referee.
Liverpool 0-0 Leverkusen
57 mins: Oh lucky!
Gakpo looks to weave his way into the box from the left but loses the ball to Edmond Tapsoba. The defender then gifts it back to Gakpo who is surprised by the pass and can’t control the ball inside the box.
Leverkusen clear, they’ve got away with one there.
Liverpool 0-0 Leverkusen
54 mins: Here come Liverpool.
They win a free kick over on the left wing that Tsimikas hooks into the box. It’s a high cross that none of the Liverpool men can get to. Grimaldo meets it over by the back post and works the ball clear.
A bit of frustration showing for the hosts.
Liverpool 0-0 Leverkusen
51 mins: Liverpool recover the ball as Leverkusen try to press up the pitch. The hosts work it quickly out to the left wing where Cody Gakpo drives into the box.
He lifts a cross over to the far side of the area where Mo Salah attempts to keep it in play. He can’t.
Liverpool 0-0 Leverkusen
48 mins: Slick passing from Leverkusen sees them move the ball over to the right side and pick of Frimpong on the wing. He delivers a cross that Tsimikas turns behind for a corner.
Grimaldo swings in the set piece but hooks it straight out of play.
Second half! Liverpool 0-0 Leverkusen
Liverpool kick off the second half attacking thr Kop as they like to do. Can they get themselves into the lead over the next 45 minutes?
HT Liverpool 0-0 Leverkusen
A quick glance around the other Champions League scores of the evening shows Manchester City and Sporting CP locked in a heated 1-1 draw in the first match-up between Pep Guardiola and Manchester United’s incoming boss Ruben Amorim.
Elsewhere, Celtic have come from behind to lead RB Leipzig 2-1 at Celtic Park thanks to a brace form Nicolas Kuhn. Can the Hoops go on to win that one?
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments