Luis Diaz hat-trick helps Liverpool ruin Xabi Alonso's return with Bayer Leverkusen
HAT-TRICK HERO: Liverpool's Luis Diaz celebrates scoring.
Xabi Alonso received a warm reception from the crowd on his emotional return to Anfield but there was no sentiment once the action started with Liverpool continuing their relentless start to the season with an emphatic win.
A second half hat-trick by Luis Diaz and a goal from Cody Gakpo made it four wins out of four in the Champions League group stages for Arne Slot's team and 14 out of 16 in all competitions.
It was a particularly notable victory for Liverpool because their former midfield star Alonso - one of the heroes of the 'miracle in Istanbul' Champions League triumph in 2005 - has turned Leverkusen into one of the most formidable teams in Europe since taking over two years ago.
This was only the third defeat in 69 games for last season's German double winners but Alonso could have no complaints such was the sheer power of Liverpool's second half performance that means the Merseyside club are virtually guaranteed their place in the knockout stages with four group games still to go.
Alonso was heavily touted to take over from Jurgen Klopp but Dutchman Slot is certainly showing he was the right choice.
It was a a memorable night too for Diaz, who justified his selection ahead of Darwin Nunez, with his first hat-trick for Liverpool..
The victory also extends Liverpool's remarkable record of never having lost to a German club in European competition at home.
But the second half blitz was in stark contrast to an underwhelming first period when all the pyrotechnics were outside. The two teams cancelled each other out, defences dominated and there was precious little goal-mouth action.
Leverkusen looked very comfortable on the ball but that came as no surprise considering that Alonso was such a midfield pass master in his playing days and has instilled a possesion-based style on his team.
The Germans defended with so much compact organisation that there was little space for Liverpool to work up any sustained attacking momentum.
In fact, they had to wait until the closing moments of the first half before getting their first shots on target. First Mo Salah cut in from the right but fired straight at Hradecky and then from the other side Cody Cakpo sent his shot into the Leverkusen 'keeper's midriff with such power it winded him.
At the other end, Trent Alexander Arnold did well to force Victor Boniface so wide he fired his shot into the side netting before the striker slid off the pitch and into the advertising boards, needing some treatment before he could resume.
Florian Wirtz was a constant threat with his darting runs while Jeremy Frimpong caused a moment of concern when he went down in the penalty area but there wasn't enough in Virgil Van Dijk's challenge to justify a penalty.
Frimpong did have the ball in the net after 43 minutes only for the effort to be disallowed. The wing-back got the better of Kostas Tsimikas to race clear before shooting past Caoimhin Kelleher but replays showed he had clearly used his arm to help the ball on and it was correctly disallowed.
Liverpool needed to move the ball quicker and, kicking towards the Kop, they increased the tempo and got their rewards - blowing Leverkusen away in the process.
Curtis Jones lifted a shot over, Mo Salah sliced an effort wide and Trent Alexander-Arnold shot high and wide but the crowd responded to the pressure and two goals came within three minutes.
The first came in the 62nd minute from Diaz, who ran on to Jones' inch-perfect through pass, took a touch before lifting a delicate lob over the advancing Hladecky.
Three minutes later Gakpo scored with a bullet header at the far post from Salah's cross after a VAR review judged him onside.
Bonfiace headed a chance wide and Kelleher saved well from sub Andrich but it was a rare threat from Leverkusen and Liverpool ended the game with a flourish thanks to Diaz.
The Colombian striker added his second in the 83rd minute when he proved too strong for his marker at the far post to score from close-range from Salah's cross.
And he completed his hat-trick in added time again from close-range after a swift Liverpool counter attack.
Alonso and his players looked stunned at the end - they are not used to this sort of beating.
Kelleher 7; Alexander-Arnold 7 (Bradley 80, 5), Konate 7 (Quansah 87, 5), Van Dijk 7, Tsmikas 7 (Robertson 80, 5); Jones 8 (Szobosslai 73, 6) , Gravenberch 7, Mac Allister 6; Salah 7, Gakpo 7 (Nunez 80, 5), Diaz 8.
Hradecky 6; Tapsoba 6, Tan 6, Hinchapie 6; Frimpong 6, Palacios 5 (Hofmann 73, 5) , Xhaka 6, Grimaldo 6 (Tella 80, 5; Wirtz 7, Garcia 6 (Andirch 73, 5); Boniface 5 (Schick 80, 5).
Danny Makkelie (Holland) 8.
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