Head coach Xabi Alonso made two changes to his starting line-up from the 0-0 draw against VfB Stuttgart: Exequiel Palacios and Aleix Garcia replaced the injured Nordi Mukiele and Robert Andrich (bench). After the famous Liverpool anthem "You'll Never Walk Alone", Dutch referee Danny Makkelie got the match under way and the first shot came from the boot of Victor Boniface after just two minutes. Cody Gakpo's more threatening effort for the home side was blocked (7'). Lukas Hradecky then saved comfortably from Curtis Jones' attempt (15'). Five minutes later, Virgil van Dijk just managed to get to the ball before Jeremie Frimpong, who would've been in a very promising position.
Not much happened in front of the goals for a while after that. Trent Alexander-Arnold's free kick from close range was deflected behind by the Leverkusen wall (36'). At the other end, Alejandro Grimaldo fired over the bar from long range (37'). Just before half-time, Frimpong did actually put the ball in the LFC net but the Dutch international had touched the ball with his hand when controlling it. Gakpo was again denied by Hradecky in stoppage time, meaning the first half ended goalless.
Liverpool midfielder Jones had the first opportunity after the restart (55'), before Mohamed Salah fired wide in space three minutes later. The next LFC attack ended in a goal, though. Jones played a perfect through ball into the path of Luis Diaz, who chipped the ball over Hradecky and into the net to make it 1-0 (61'). Immediately after that, Gakpo doubled the lead with a header. Hradecky had to make a strong save to stop Alexander-Arnold making it three (73'). After a quieter spell, Diaz did extend the lead to 3-0 from close range (83'). Leverkusen did have chances through Florian Wirtz (85') and substitute Andrich (87'), but Diaz wrapped up a 4-0 win and his hat-trick in the second minute of added time.
A busy period ends with the Bundesliga away match at VfL Bochum on Saturday 9 November at 15:30 CET. That's followed by the final international break of 2024, before three more consecutive weeks of midweek matches.
Match stats:
Liverpool: Kelleher - Alexander-Arnold (Bradley 80'), Konate (Quansah 78'), Van Dijk, Tsimikas (Robertson 80') - Jones (Szoboszlai 73'), Gravenberch, Mac Allister - Salah, Luis Diaz, Gapko (Nunez 80')
Bayer 04: Hradecky - Tapsoba, Tah, Hincapie - Frimpong, Palacios (Andrich 73'), Xhaka, Grimaldo (Tella 80') - Wirtz, Garcia (Hofmann 73') - Boniface (Schick 80')
Goals: 1-0 Luis Diaz (61'), 2-0 Gakpo (63'), 3-0 Luis Diaz (83'), 4-0 Luis Diaz (90'+2)
Yellow cards: Garcia, Hradecky
Referee: Danny Makkelie (Netherlands)
Attendance: 61,276 (sellout) at Anfield
Bayer 04 are away at RB Leipzig for their final fixture of 2025 in the Bundesliga on Saturday (kick-off: 18:30 CET). Here’s all you need to know ahead of the Matchday 15 encounter at the Red Bull Arena.
Show more
Despite a major personnel shake-up in the summer, RB Leipzig have performed impressively this term. Ahead of matchday 15, coach Ole Werner's team are second in the Bundesliga with a three-point lead over their upcoming opponents Bayer 04. This Saturday, 20 December (kick-off: 18:30 CET), the Werkself are away to RBL who are strong at home. The lowdown on our next opponents.
Show more
Bayer 04's final game of the year at RB Leipzig on Saturday night, 20 December (kick-off: 18:30 CET), will also see Robert Andrich and David Raum go head-to-head. In an interview with bayer04.de and rbleipzig.com, the two team captains spoke about the importance of this match, their friendship and a WhatsApp group with Joshua Kimmich.
Show more
Bayer 04, currently fourth in the table, end the year with a top match away to second-placed RB Leipzig on Saturday, 20 December (kick-off: 18:30 CET). Head coach Kasper Hjulmand spoke ahead of the game about the importance of this fixture and an unusual but welcome week of training. The Dane also provided a squad update.
Show more
The German Football League (DFL) has scheduled matchdays 20 to 24 in the 2025/26 Bundesliga campaign. The dates at a glance.
Show more
