At Anfield, the Colombian scored a hat-trick in the second half to help the Reds win four of their last four games in Europe this year.

In the Champions League, Liverpool welcomed Xabi Alonso back to Anfield on Wednesday. However, the home team gave his Bayer Leverkusen team a lesson as the Reds easily won 4-0.

Liverpool finally came alive with two goals in two minutes just past the hour mark to take control of the game after a quiet first half with few opportunities. The Anfield crowd finally regained its voice.

Luis Diaz dinked past Lukas Hradecky after Curtis Jones’ spectacular ball led Liverpool on their way, and Cody Gakpo headed home after Mohamed Salah crossed.

After that, Diaz scored two more goals in the last ten minutes to complete his hat-trick and keep Liverpool’s undefeated start to the tournament.

Goalkeeper & Defence

Caoimhin Kelleher (6/10):

Made a couple of good saves late on but otherwise didn’t have too much to do.

Trent Alexander-Arnold (7/10):

Defended well and played his part in the opening goal.

Ibrahima Konate (8/10):

Another solid showing on a night where Leverkusen struggled to cut through the Liverpool backline.

Virgil van Dijk (8/10):

Very solid at the back and didn’t really put a foot wrong.

Konstantinos Tsimikas (6/10):

Found Frimpong a tricky customer at times and will have been relieved to see the Dutchman’s first-half goal ruled out for handball.

Midfield

Alexis Mac Allister (6/10):

An underwhelming showing in the first halfm but improved after the break and forced Hradecky into a good save late on.

Ryan Gravenberch (7/10):

Won the ball back well and tried to get Liverpool forward. Teed up Salah for a chance with a brilliant run.

Curtis Jones (8/10):

Another energetic performance, topped off with a glorious ball to Diaz for the opener.

Attack

Mohamed Salah (8/10):

Looked lively throughout. Set up goals for Gakpo and Diaz.

Luis Diaz (9/10):

Brilliant run and dinked finish for the opening goal. Finished with the match ball and grabbed an assist in a deadly showing.

Cody Gakpo (7/10):

Missed a great chance in the first half but a powerful header doubled Liverpool’s lead.

Subs & Manager

Dominik Szoboszlai (6/10):

Gave Jones a breather

Andy Robertson (7/10):

Great tackle got Liverpool going for the fourth goal.

Darwin Nunez (6/10):

Made a couple of strong driving runs after coming on.

Conor Bradley (N/A):

Ensured Liverpool kept a clean sheet.

Jarrell Quansah (N/A):

A late sub.

Arne Slot (8/10):

Alonso was the subject of all the pre-match buzz, but Slot won the fight handily. brought Jones and Diaz into his starting lineup, and as his Liverpool team triumphed once more, the two of them combined for the opening goal.