In an electrifying match on Tuesday night, Liverpool showcased their prowess by defeating Xabi Alonso's Bayer Leverkusen 4-0, marking a perfect start to their league campaign with 12 points from four matches.

The Reds turned the tide in the second half, with Luis Diaz breaking the deadlock in the 61st minute before sealing his brace during stoppage time. Cody Gakpo also contributed to the scoreline with a powerful header for Liverpool's second goal.

Team News:

In a strategic move, manager Jurgen Klopp made two changes to the starting lineup that triumphed over Brighton & Hove Albion last week. Diaz and Curtis Jones stepped in, showcasing their importance to the team’s attacking strategy.

The starting XI included: Kelleher; Van Dijk; Konate (substituted for Quansah at 88'); Diaz; Mac Allister; Salah; Jones (substituted for Szoboszlai at 73'); Gakpo (substituted for Nunez at 80'); Tsimikas (substituted for Robertson at 80'); Gravenberch; Alexander-Arnold (substituted for Bradley at 80'). The unused substitutes were Jaros, Davies, Gomez, Endo, and Morton.

First Half: A Tactical Standoff

Despite the festive atmosphere of Bonfire Night outside the stadium, the first half on the pitch was devoid of fireworks. Both teams struggled to make significant inroads, with a handful of half-chances failing to escalate into clear opportunities. Jones had a shot that was easily saved, as did Leverkusen's Edmond Tapsoba.

Leverkusen's shout for a penalty following a challenge from Virgil van Dijk on Jeremie Frimpong was dismissed, and Victor Boniface failed to capitalize on a promising chance, shooting wide under pressure. As the half progressed, Liverpool began to create more chances, highlighted by Mohamed Salah’s effort that unfortunately missed the target following a quick break.

Just before halftime, Frimpong thought he had scored for Leverkusen, but the goal was disallowed for an attacking handball, leaving the game scoreless at the break.

Second Half: Liverpool Takes Control

Liverpool came out firing after the interval. The team's fortunes shifted dramatically as they began to dominate possession and create a flurry of opportunities. Curtis Jones was close with a shot from inside the box, and Salah misfired after a brilliant setup by Ryan Gravenberch.

However, their persistence paid off when they finally broke the deadlock. In a stunning play around the hour mark, Jones slipped a perfectly weighted pass to Diaz, who coolly lifted the ball over Leverkusen’s goalkeeper, Lukas Hradecky, igniting the home crowd into a frenzy.

Conclusion: A Glorious Evening for the Reds

This commanding victory for Liverpool not only solidifies their position at the top of the group but also signals their intent to reclaim glory in this season's competition. With performances like this, the Reds are setting the stage for what promises to be an exhilarating season.

Fans are now eagerly anticipating if this stellar form can continue as they head into the next round of fixtures—could they maintain this rhythm and challenge for silverware? Stay tuned as the drama unfolds!