Liverpool were too strong for their German opponents on Tuesday, scoring four unanswered goals to give Xabi Alonso a sad return home.
The Bayer Leverkusen boss took his team to Anfield, looking to extend their unbeaten away streak in all competitions, but second-half goals from Luis Diaz and Cody Gakpo maintained the Reds’ perfect start.
The Colombian, who started the game in an unknown position of 10, was the star of Arne Slot’s team. The 27-year-old has been a reborn man under the Dutchman and his first hat-trick at Liverpool exemplified that transformation.
On the other hand, Mohamed Salah did his bit to contribute to the victory. The Egyptian assisted two of the Reds’ goals, taking his season-high in all competitions to nine goals and nine assists.
Here, Mail Sport’s Joe Bernstein decides which star shone brightest and which players still have a way to go.
Luis Díaz’s first hat trick in Liverpool history helped propel Liverpool to a resounding victory at Anfield.
Cody Gakpo continued his excellent form in front of goal on Tuesday night against the German champions.
LIVERPOOL RATINGS
CAOIMHIN KELLEHER – 7
The best compliment that can be paid to the Irishman is that Liverpool have not missed Alisson. He didn’t work very hard, but he commanded his box and showed authority in everything he did. And when asked late to save his clean sheet, he narrowed his angles to keep Robert Andrich at bay.
TRENT ALEXANDER-ARNOLD – 6.5
He does not usually face a physical challenge like the one posed by Víctor Boniface, but the English defender fulfilled his task well. The passing range was not at its usual level.
VIRGIL VAN DIJK – 6.5
He played like he had slippers. Such a calm and reassuring presence behind. Although Leverkusen had a lot of the ball in the first half, they were unable to capitalize on the right opportunities.
IBRAHIMA KONATE – 7
Liverpool fans were pleased to see him return to the field so quickly after being taken off injured against Brighton. He has a formidable partnership with van Dijk
KOSTAS TSIMIKAS – 7
Selected ahead of Andy Robertson for the second time in a row and justified his selection. While he is not as energetic as his Scottish rival, the quality of his crossing is evident for all to see.
Caoimhin Kelleher continues to shine in goal for the Reds in the absence of number one Alisson
Ibrahima Konate was a doubt for the match, but he had a formidable presence in defense of the home team.
Curtis Jones’ superb assist opened up Bayer Leverkusen’s defense at Anfield on Tuesday night.
ALEXIS MAC ALLISTER – 6.5
It wasn’t a must-win for Liverpool, so the Argentinian could be content with being clean and tidy, something he can do in his sleep, rather than chasing world passes.
RYAN GRAVENBERCH – 6
The Dutchman has been so good this season that he was more relaxed in possession than we are used to. He will have learned a lot from facing Granit Xhaka despite Liverpool ultimately dominating.
MO SALAH – 7
He had scored in his previous five Champions League home games, but this time he had to settle for a couple of assists with textbook crosses for Gakpo and Diaz. He worked hard and Hradecky saved the shot after a cut inside. He also forced García to be reprimanded.
CURTIS JONES – 8
He is quickly becoming Liverpool’s standout player of the season. Preferred by Dominik Szoboszlai at number 10 for good reason, he ran into the box and showed great quality on the ball. A free pass to Gakpo at the end of the first half destroyed the entire Leverkusen defense and his ruled ball to Díaz was an invitation for the South American to score.
CODY GAKPO – 6.5
He made a substitution and, after sending a shot at the goalkeeper, made no mistake with a header he received after a VAR check, which had originally been disallowed for offside.
Mohamed Salah assisted two of Liverpool’s goals to take his tally in all competitions to nine goals and nine assists.
Díaz stood out in an unknown position as a center forward and opened the scoring with a brilliant shot.
Arne Slot has led his team to 14 wins in their first 16 games in all competitions this season
LUIS DIAZ – 9
He started as a center forward, where he made an impact with a brilliant shot to open the scoring. And once Darwin Núñez came on, he was equally effective on the left, sliding towards the far post to score his second and Liverpool’s third. He completed his hat-trick with a late effort from the poacher to take the man of the match from Jones.
Substitutes
Dominik Szoboszlai (for Jones 73) 6Connor Bradley (for Alexander-Arnold 81)Andy Robertson (for Tsimikas 81)
Darwin Núñez (by Gakpo 81) Jarrell Quansah (by Konate 88)
MANAGER – ARNE SLOT 7.5
What a perfect way to demonstrate in the presence of Xabi Alonso, the early favorite for the Liverpool job, that he is a more than worthy successor to Jurgen Klopp. Deserved The Kop singing his name at the top of his voice
Referee – Danny Makkelie 6