Diaz Hat-Trick Puts Liverpool Top of UCL Table in 4-0 Win Over Leverkusen

BY AMELIE CLAYDON

UPDATED 06/11/2024 AT 11:50 GMT

Luis Diaz put in a phenomenal performance at Anfield on Tuesday night, firing in a sensational hat-trick as Liverpool handed Bayer Leverkusen a 4-0 defeat in their Champions League encounter. The result sends Arne Slot’s side to the summit of the table, with a perfect record of four wins from four matches, displacing Aston Villa at the top.

It wasn’t the return to Anfield that former Liverpool legend Xabi Alonso would have hoped for. The Spaniard, now in charge of the reigning Bundesliga champions, saw his side look strong against The Reds in the opening 45 minutes but fail to find a way past Liverpool's Kelleher. 

Despite a goalless first half, where Leverkusen showed moments of danger and tested Liverpool's defence, the floodgates opened after the break, with Diaz leading the charge in the 61st minute.

Only two minutes later, a Salah cross into the box is directed into the goal with a Gakpo header. VAR paused play, but determined Salah’s ball was onside and the home support celebrated again. 

Having gone two goals down in the space of two minutes, Leverkusen looked to find a way back into the game but were shot back down by Diaz again. In the 83rd minute, the Colombian receives the ball from Salah converting the cross amazingly to put Liverpool three goals up.

To really finish off the game, Diaz finds the back of the net in injury time with another solid assist from Salah, securing the match ball. 

Luiz Diaz celebrates his hat-trick for Liverpool against Bayer Leverkusen in the UEFA Champions League.

Liverpool currently sit top of the UCL table with a 100% record so far in the competition, having only conceded one goal in four games. The Reds are third favourites currently to lift the trophy. 

After a disastrous night for Alonso’s side Leverkusen are in the 11th spot. As it stands, Bundesliga champions will gain access to the 1/16 finals but will likely push to get into the top eight in the table.  

UEFA Champions League standings