On the first matchday of the Champions League’s fourth round this season, Liverpool hosted Leverkusen at Anfield and claimed an impressive 4-0 victory. With Luis Díaz scoring a hat trick and Gakpo adding to the tally, Liverpool achieved four consecutive wins in the competition, securing the top spot and handing Leverkusen its first loss of the tournament.

Since Arne Slot took over as Liverpool's head coach, the team has shown remarkable improvement across all fronts, making significant progress in the Premier League, Champions League, and League Cup. In the Champions League, Liverpool notched three straight wins while conceding only one goal, temporarily holding second place on goal difference. Their recent results, however, have eclipsed those of Leverkusen under Xabi Alonso, who held sixth place with two wins and a draw before this encounter.

Historically, this was the third Champions League clash between Liverpool and Leverkusen, with their last meeting in the 2004-05 season’s Round of 16, where Liverpool emerged victorious with a 3-1 win, completing a home-and-away sweep over the German side.

Xabi Alonso, Leverkusen’s current head coach and a former Liverpool midfielder, returned to Anfield for the first time as an opposing coach, leading his team in a challenging away match against his old club.

The first half saw a disallowed goal for Leverkusen in the 43rd minute when Frimpong’s volley was ruled out due to a handball, but Liverpool hadn’t found the net yet either.

Liverpool’s intensity surged in the second half, and the home crowd witnessed an explosive performance:

• 61st minute: Curtis Jones delivered a precise through ball to Díaz, who scored with a clean finish, breaking the deadlock and putting Liverpool ahead 1-0.

• 63rd minute: Salah set up a cross in the box, which Gakpo headed in, extending Liverpool’s lead to 2-0.

• 83rd minute: Another assist from Salah allowed Díaz to strike a low shot past the keeper, raising the score to 3-0.

• 91st minute: A counter-attack saw Nunez’s shot blocked, but Díaz was quick on the rebound, completing his hat trick and sealing the game at 4-0.

Liverpool displayed impressive efficiency, recording 22 shots with 8 on target, converting four of their five best chances. Leverkusen, meanwhile, managed 10 shots, only 4 on target, but couldn’t capitalize on their single major scoring opportunity.

With this victory, Liverpool now leads the group with 12 points from four games. Their dominance forces Aston Villa, playing the next day, to match Liverpool’s four-goal margin to reclaim the top spot.

Liverpool is also in first place in the Premier League, reflecting a strong start to the season that’s largely credited to Slot’s leadership. Since Slot’s arrival, Liverpool has played 16 matches, achieving a record of 14 wins, 1 draw, and only 1 loss—making him one of the most successful newcomers in Liverpool’s coaching history.