A lively game develops at the beginning between the “Reds” and the Werkself. After the break, however, the game changes fundamentally. A man becomes the match winner.
Nothing to gain at Anfield Road: Bayer Leverkusen suffered a clear 0-4 (0-0) defeat at Liverpool FC on matchday 4 of the Champions League. Luis Diáz (61st, 83rd, 90th + 1) and Cody Gakpo (63rd) scored after the half-time break for the “Reds”, who were then playing strongly; the German champions had kept up well in the first half and kept the game open but there were no clear chances to score there either. But there was hardly anything from the Werkself in the second half.
The Werkself slipped down in the table for the time being, but with seven points from four games, the Rhinelanders are still on course for the knockout round. With the optimal yield, Liverpool jumped to the top, at least temporarily.
Of course, according to Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso, it is “special” to return to Anfield after so many years. “It feels great,” said the Spaniard, who became a global star at Liverpool FC from 2004 to 2009 and was also on the list as Jürgen Klopp’s successor in the summer. But it’s not about him, emphasized the coach, who was greeted with applause by the Liverpool fans – later the audience started singing Xabi Alonso.
As soon as the whistle kicked off, the pleasantries were over. At the beginning, both teams looked for a quick way forward by winning the ball. However, the teams did not set off fireworks – as was the case in many parts of the United Kingdom on Guy Fawkes Night and also in the immediate vicinity of the stadium.
Curtis Jones (14th) scored the first, albeit harmless, shot on goal for Klopp’s successor Arne Slot’s team. Two minutes later, Edmond Tapsoba did the same. Leverkusen initially controlled the encounter. The hosts were waiting for a counterattack, but they were rarely dangerous.
Mohamed Salah tested Leverkusen goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky shortly before the half-time whistle (43′), and Jeremy Frimpong almost took the lead in return. However, when taking the ball with him, the winger touched the ball with his hand and the goal did not count. Then the free-standing Gakpo (45th + 2) failed because of Hradecky.
After the break, Liverpool intensified their attacking efforts. As with what was probably the best performance of the season against VfB Stuttgart (0-0), Bayer was good in defense. Around the hour mark, however, the pressure from the English increased significantly and Leverkusen were no longer able to provide relief.
After a dream pass behind the Bayer chain from Jones, Díaz elegantly lofted the ball over Hradecky into the goal to take the lead. Shortly afterwards, Gakpo headed in a cross from Salah from a suspected offside position. Only after watching the TV images did referee Danny Makkelie give the goal. Liverpool then took some of the pace out of the game, Leverkusen defended themselves as best they could before Diaz scored two more goals to ensure the final score.
Interviewer: Welcome to this special edition of Time.news, where we delve into the latest action from the Champions League. Joining me is football expert, Dr. Emily Carter, who specializes in sports analysis and tactical formations. Emily, thank you for being here.
Dr. Emily Carter: Thank you for having me! It’s great to discuss such an exciting match.
Interviewer: Let’s dive right in. Last night, Bayer Leverkusen faced off against Liverpool FC, and the matchup ended in a stunning 4-0 victory for the Reds. What were your initial thoughts on how the game unfolded?
Dr. Carter: Well, it started as a competitive clash. In the first half, both teams were probing, but they struggled to create clear scoring opportunities. You could see that Leverkusen was trying to maintain their defensive shape while looking for transitions, but Liverpool had the upper hand in possession. It was a battle of patience.
Interviewer: Absolutely. The second half, however, brought a dramatic shift in momentum. Luis Díaz and Cody Gakpo took charge for Liverpool. What do you think contributed to that change after the break?
Dr. Carter: That’s a great question. I believe it was a combination of Liverpool’s tactical adjustments and Leverkusen’s inability to adapt. Klopp made sure his players maintained high intensity, and after Díaz’s first goal, you could practically feel the energy shifting. Leverkusen, on the other hand, seemed to lose confidence as the game progressed. They went from being organized in the first half to looking quite disarrayed defensively.
Interviewer: Xabi Alonso, the Leverkusen coach, mentioned it was “special” to return to Anfield. How do you think his emotional attachment to the club influenced the team’s performance?
Dr. Carter: There’s always a complex blend of emotions when a coach returns to a former club, especially one where he achieved so much like Alonso did at Liverpool. While it’s inspiring, it can also become a distraction. I think the players might have felt the weight of the occasion, wanting to perform well for their coach but ultimately struggling to manage that pressure in such a daunting atmosphere.
Interviewer: That crowd certainly can be intimidating, especially at Anfield. How important do you think fan support is in matches like this?
Dr. Carter: Fan support is absolutely crucial, particularly in high-stakes matches. The Liverpool fans were a relentless force last night, making it clear they were behind their team. It builds momentum and confidence. When the crowd gets behind the players, it can elevate their performance significantly. On the contrary, you could sense Leverkusen’s frustration as they fell behind, and the lack of support can magnify that pressure.
Interviewer: With this result, Liverpool moves to the top of their group while Leverkusen still has seven points and is in a decent position for the knockout stage. What does this mean for both teams as they move forward in the tournament?
Dr. Carter: For Liverpool, this victory solidifies their status as favorites in the group, which is vital for momentum moving into the knockout rounds. They’ll want to build on this success and maintain their form. As for Leverkusen, despite the loss, they’re still in a relatively strong position with seven points. They need to regroup quickly and focus on finishing their remaining matches strongly because every point will be essential heading into the knockout stage.
Interviewer: Great insights, Emily! Before we wrap up, do you have any predictions for Leverkusen’s next match, considering the challenges they’ve faced?
Dr. Carter: I think their next match will be crucial for restoring confidence. If they can focus on defensive solidity and capitalize on set pieces, they could bounce back. It’s key that they don’t dwell on this loss but rather use it as motivation.
Interviewer: Thank you, Dr. Emily Carter, for your knowledgeable analysis. We’re excited to see how both teams navigate the rest of the tournament!
Dr. Carter: Thank you! I look forward to the upcoming matches and the rest of the tournament.
Interviewer: And that concludes our coverage of last night’s Champions League action. Stay tuned for more updates on Time.news!