A lively game develops at the beginning between the “Reds” and the Werkself. After the break, however, the game changes fundamentally. A man becomes the match winner.
Nothing to gain at Anfield Road: Bayer Leverkusen suffered a clear 0-4 (0-0) defeat at Liverpool FC on matchday 4 of the Champions League. Luis Diáz (61st, 83rd, 90th + 1) and Cody Gakpo (63rd) scored after the half-time break for the “Reds”, who were then playing strongly; the German champions had kept up well in the first half and kept the game open could, but there were no clear chances to score there either. But there was hardly anything from the Werkself in the second half.
The Werkself slipped down in the table for the time being, but with seven points from four games, the Rhinelanders are still on course for the knockout round. With the optimal yield, Liverpool jumped to the top, at least temporarily.
Of course, according to Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso, it is “special” to return to Anfield after so many years. “It feels great,” said the Spaniard, who became a global star at Liverpool FC from 2004 to 2009 and was also on the list as Jürgen Klopp’s successor in the summer. But it's not about him, emphasized the coach, who was greeted with applause by the Liverpool fans – later the audience started singing Xabi Alonso.
As soon as the whistle kicked off, the pleasantries were over. At the beginning, both teams looked for a quick way forward by winning the ball. However, the teams did not set off fireworks – as in many parts of the United Kingdom on Guy Fawkes Night and also in the immediate vicinity of the stadium.
Curtis Jones (14th) scored the first, albeit harmless, shot on goal for Klopp's successor Arne Slot's team. Two minutes later, Edmond Tapsoba did the same. Leverkusen initially controlled the encounter. The hosts were waiting for a counterattack, but they were rarely dangerous.
Mohamed Salah tested Leverkusen goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky shortly before the half-time whistle (43'), and Jeremy Frimpong almost took the lead in return. However, when taking the ball with him, the winger touched the ball with his hand and the goal did not count. Then the free-standing Gakpo (45th + 2) failed because of Hradecky.
After the break, Liverpool intensified their attacking efforts. As with what was probably the best performance of the season against VfB Stuttgart (0-0), Bayer was good in defense. Around the hour mark, however, the pressure from the English increased significantly and Leverkusen were no longer able to provide relief.
After a dream pass behind the Bayer chain from Jones, Díaz elegantly lofted the ball over Hradecky into the goal to take the lead. Shortly afterwards, Gakpo headed in a cross from Salah from a suspected offside position. Only after viewing the TV images did referee Danny Makkelie award the goal. Liverpool then took some of the pace out of the game, Leverkusen defended themselves as best they could before Diaz scored two more goals to ensure the final score.
