In a scintillating UEFA Champions League night at Anfield, Liverpool produced one of their most impressive performances of the season as they comprehensively outclassed Bayer Leverkusen 4-0. The star of the show was undoubtedly Colombian forward Luis Díaz, who notched a sensational hat-trick to power the Reds to a fourth straight win in Europe’s elite club competition.
The resounding victory saw Liverpool surge clear at the top of their Champions League group and served as a stark reminder of their attacking prowess. It was a display that left manager Arne Slot gushing with praise for his hat-trick hero Díaz.
“I love him very much” – Slot on Díaz
Speaking after the match, the Dutch tactician couldn’t hide his admiration for the 25-year-old forward, who was handed an unfamiliar central role against Leverkusen. Díaz repaid his manager’s faith in spectacular fashion, scoring three times in a blistering 29-minute spell.
“Not only do people in Colombia love ‘Lucho,’ the fans in Liverpool love him too,” Slot beamed in his post-match press conference. “The fans sing his song, and the manager loves him very much too! I like him a lot.”
The effusive praise from Slot is a testament to the immense impact Díaz has had since joining Liverpool from Porto in January 2022. The fleet-footed attacker has quickly become a fan favorite at Anfield with his tireless work rate, sublime skills, and penchant for spectacular goals.
Slot’s tactical tweak pays dividends
Eyebrows were raised before kickoff when the Liverpool teamsheet revealed Díaz would be starting in a central striking role, with Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah on the flanks. However, Slot’s tactical gamble paid off handsomely as the Colombian ran riot against a shellshocked Leverkusen defense.
“It’s not possible for every player to play every game. I only have four attackers available with the injuries we have and, with the fixture list it’s impossible to play them,” Slot explained. “But for me, ‘Lucho’ is a starter.”
Díaz opened the scoring in the 12th minute, latching onto a defense-splitting pass from Thiago Alcântara before rounding the goalkeeper and slotting home. He doubled his tally seven minutes later, this time applying the finishing touch to a slick team move involving Trent Alexander-Arnold and Harvey Elliott.
The hat-trick was completed just before the half-hour mark as Díaz showcased his poacher’s instinct, reacting quickest to fire in the rebound after Gakpo’s initial effort was saved. It was a fitting reward for a magnificent individual display.
Díaz flourishing under Slot
Since Slot took over the reins at Liverpool this season following Jürgen Klopp’s departure, Díaz has taken his game to new heights. The Colombian speedster has already racked up 9 goals in 15 appearances across all competitions, emerging as the Reds’ chief attacking threat.
“Things have gone so well with the new manager, it wasn’t easy for him to come in and fill Jürgen Klopp’s shoes,” Díaz said post-match. “Hopefully, we’ll have something to show for it at the end of the season.”
Liverpool’s No.23 also spoke of his joy at playing in a more central role and his determination to keep hold of the match ball, which he plans to store in a special place at home to commemorate his Anfield hat-trick.
Alonso endures Anfield nightmare
For Bayer Leverkusen head coach Xabi Alonso, it was an evening to forget on his return to the stadium he once called home. The former Liverpool midfielder, who won the Champions League with the Reds in 2005, cut a frustrated figure on the touchline as he watched his team being torn apart.
“The result is painful, the performance is more painful,” Alonso lamented. “They are a top, top team and they punished us. It was a pity we couldn’t hold 1-0 for 15 to 20 minutes.”
The Spaniard, who took charge of Leverkusen last month, knows he has a big job on his hands to turn around the fortunes of a side that has now lost three of their four Champions League games this term.
Liverpool’s ominous form
As for Liverpool, the emphatic win over Leverkusen was the perfect tonic after a mixed start to the Premier League season. The Reds currently sit second in the table, two points behind reigning champions Manchester City after 10 games.
With Díaz in scintillating form and the likes of Salah, Gakpo, and Darwin Núñez also among the goals, Liverpool look well-equipped to mount a serious challenge on both domestic and European fronts this season. Slot’s men are sending out an ominous message to their rivals – write them off at your peril.
