Xabi Alonso stated his return to Anfield was bittersweet after Liverpool thrashed Bayer Leverkusen 4-0 on Tuesday, because of a Luis Diaz hat-trick, to go high of the Champions League desk.
Cody Gakpo was additionally on course because the Reds maintained their 100% report in Europe after 4 video games.
Alonso, a Champions League winner throughout his taking part in days within the Liverpool midfield, turned his again on succeeding Jurgen Klopp to stay at Leverkusen after main them to an unbeaten German league and cup double final season.
The Spaniard’s identify was chanted by the house help within the closing phases.
Liverpool, although, aren’t left questioning what may need been as Arne Slot continued his beautiful begin as supervisor with a 14th win in 16 video games in all competitions.
“One factor is the sport and the opposite factor was the reception,” stated Alonso, who performed for the Reds between 2004 and 2009.
“I’ve a bitter feeling however I actually respect and (I am) grateful that after so a few years I come right here and nonetheless have that bond with the membership. However it will have been nicer with a greater outcome.”
Leverkusen stay on seven factors from their opening 4 Champions League matches after one other sobering evening for his or her ambitions to match the heights they hit final season.
Alonso’s males sit fourth within the Bundesliga, seven factors adrift of leaders Bayern Munich, and didn’t grasp what their coach described pre-match as a “stunning problem”.
Slot’s resolution to maneuver Diaz right into a central position up entrance proved impressed because the Colombian struck his first hat-trick for the membership.
– Sleepless evening –
Similar to in Saturday’s 2-1 win over Brighton that took Slot’s males to the highest of the Premier League, it took till the second half for each Liverpool and the Anfield crowd to come back to life.
“Second half we might alter the gameplan, we took extra dangers and we have been higher with the ball as effectively,” stated Slot.
“For those who work or play at Liverpool you at all times feels stress however we embrace this as a result of we need to full for every part. It’s important to settle for in case you work or play right here you possibly can get pleasure from these unbelievable evenings.”
A cagey tactical battle was sparked into life on the hour mark by a second of beautiful high quality.
Curtis Jones spun his marker earlier than splitting the Leverkusen defence with a pinpoint go for Diaz, who nonchalantly chipped the advancing Lukas Hradecky.
Two minutes later, Liverpool killed the guests off with one other flowing transfer.
Mohamed Salah’s pushed cross was headed in on the again submit by the flying Gakpo.
The linesman raised his flag to momentarily silence the celebrations, however a VAR evaluation confirmed the Dutch ahead was onside for his sixth purpose of the season.
Victor Boniface headed broad with an enormous probability to convey Leverkusen instantly again into the sport.
As an alternative, Liverpool pulled additional clear seven minutes from time when Diaz managed Salah’s looping cross and fired house.
The Colombian then rounded off the scoring together with his ninth purpose of the season in stoppage time with one other scientific end after Darwin Nunez’s blocked shot fell into his path.
Liverpool’s return of 12 factors means they’re virtually actually already assured of a spot within the knockout section, however are closing in on sealing direct development to the final 16 through a top-eight end within the 36-team league.
Leverkusen slip to eleventh however Alonso is assured of progressing with three of their remaining 4 video games to come back at house.
“We’re in place to combat to undergo to the following spherical,” he added. “At the moment will probably be more durable to sleep however we now have time to see the positives as effectively.”
kca/jc