Liverpool thrash Leverkusen 4-0 to top Champions League charts

Luis Diaz scored a hat-trick as Liverpool smashed Bayer Leverkusen 4-0 in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday night at Anfield.

Following a tightly contested first half, the flood gates opened when Diaz and Cody Gakpo struck within a couple of minutes just after the hour mark.

Diaz netted his second of the day from close range with seven minutes left before securing his match ball with an injury-time strike.

Liverpool, who have triumphed in their opening four games, climbed top of the new 36-team Champions League table with 12 points, while the Bundesliga champions dropped to 11th on the ladder with seven points.

Speaking after the victory, Liverpool manager Arne Slot attributed the team’s success to hard work.

“We have to work really hard with incredibly high intensity to win our games,” he said.

“That has a lot to do with teams who think Anfield is the best place to play so every team we play against is at the top of their game.

“If you want to win you always have to be consistent in your intensity and that is not always easy but that is what is needed.

“If we can keep producing that it is still not easy but we get our wins in and that is what we want.”

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Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso praised the Reds for their impressive team balance.

“They are a complete team,” the former Liverpool midfielder said.

“They are able to defend, to score, to have power in the boxes, keep clean sheets, with not many chances to score goals — that is a great strength in the Champions League.

“They are in a good moment, everything has good balance, the coach is doing great work, so it looks like a great season but we are still in November.”

Bayer Leverkusen will be hoping to bounce back in the Bundesliga this Saturday, with top bookmakers paying -370.37 for the champions to defeat VfL Bochum (+700).

Meanwhile, Liverpool are -196.08 favourites to beat Aston Villa (+475) at home this weekend and shore up their lead in the Premier League.

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