Arne Slot conquers Xabi Alonso as Liverpool top England and Europe

There was widely regarded to be only one man for the job when Jurgen Klopp announced his departure from Liverpool in January and on that day none outside the club were suggesting that it might be a Dutch coach from the little German border town of Bergentheim.
Yet Arne Slot now leads a Liverpool team that sit atop the Champions League’s new 36-team mega-table as well as the Premier League, and the 14th victory of the season was secured against the man who might have been. That was Xabi Alonso, the Liverpool great of the 2000s, transformative coach of the unlikely German champions, and helpless as his side were blown away at Anfield in the second half.
There was a hat-trick for the Colombian winger Luis Diaz, moved to a central role by a Liverpool manager who is on a run currently where every tweak and every new idea seems to yield a result.
The slow-mo of that Luis Diaz finish… 🤩#UCLonPrime pic.twitter.com/tlawYnhwbJ
No new Premier League manager has ever won as many as 14 of his first 16 games across all competitions, as Slot has done, and this victory took him clear of Jose Mourinho, Carlo Ancelotti and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer who had all managed 13. By any measure it has been an impressive start and while Slot might have inherited a squad that were already showing signs of promise, others have fouled-up more promising inheritances.
This was Alonso’s job had he wanted it. Instead it was Slot who led Liverpool on a run that has seen them pass Bonfire Night with just one defeat so far. They are the only side in the new Champions League format to have won all four of their games and news of the defeats for Manchester City and Real Madrid were cheered by a departing home crowd. Both those sides will come to Anfield within four days at the end of this month and the start of the next.
Liverpool are now into the run of challenging fixtures that many had decided to wait for while they reserved judgment on Slot. The Kop waited until the end to sing the name of their manager, pointedly before they at last paid tribute to Alonso. While the latter was obliged to give thanks later, he added that it was bittersweet. Slot was clear afterwards that this had been an unusual tactical match-up, albeit one that his team dominated once the necessary adjustments had been made.
Alonso had changed his team, Slot said, to try to flood the midfield and with the absence of a conventional No 9, Victor Boniface played out on the left. After half-time Slot’s team had a stronger hold on the game and they went to a level which Leverkusen could not cope. “Many teams’ managers change their game when they come to Anfield,” Slot said, “and that is what we have seen today.”
It is that kind of confidence to make the big tactical calls that Liverpool’s owners Fenway Sports invested in when they appointed Slot. He was generous afterwards about Alonso too, in his usual affable way, but it is the decisions Slot is making in managing this squad through an intense fixture load that is catching the eye. His team had less of the possession in the first half, although Leverkusen never created much with what they had. Then in the second half, Liverpool pulled them out of shape.
There was a goal for Cody Gakpo too, and the front four that also included Diaz, Mohamed Salah and Curtis Jones were exceptional on the break. They dragged the opposition out of place and sprung the offside line over and over. In full flow, they know just when to break forward and just when to release the ball. Salah’s cross for Gakpo’s goal was flagged offside by the Dutch assistant Jan de Vries only to be restored as a goal by the VAR Rob Dieperink.
It felt like Liverpool were just too swift for the officials, never mind the opposition. Leverkusen are a good side and that midfield led by Granit Xhaka and Exequiel Palacios looked quite capable in the first half. But once Jones had played the pass of the match to create Diaz’s first goal just after the hour, the German champions were tossed around on the storm of a raucous Anfield.
Jones’s pass through or past four of the white shirts on the other side reached Diaz at such a convenient speed that he was able to scoop it over the goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky as the Finn went down to his feet. Salah crossed for Gakpo at the back post after another very smooth counterattack. By then Leverkusen were in pieces. Diaz got his second when the  substitute Jonas Hofmann slipped in the area. The hat-trick goal was a rebound when the shot from the substitute Darwin Nunez broke free.
Arne Slot’s reaction at Luis Diaz’s goal was all of us… #UCLonPrime pic.twitter.com/nOsLjeQI59
“Some of the teams we face had some difficulties with the intensity,” said Slot with considerable understatement. This was the champions of Germany and soon the champions of England and Spain will face the same test. At some point Slot will have to deal with some adversity but in a job that requires momentum to get a new manager launched and secure he is in a strong position.
He remarked at the end that in Holland it was unusual to hear a crowd singing a manager’s name. “Some players get used to having their name sung,” he joked, “and I was only sung about a few times in my playing career.” For the most part he is not interested in the cult of his own personality – he prefers talking about the tactical decisions of his opposite numbers and what he does to counter them.
It will be Unai Emery on Saturday and then later Ancelotti and Pep Guardiola at Anfield – all men who trade on the weight of their name and reputation as well as their skill in shaping teams and changing games. Slot is new at this level but he could hardly have asked for a stronger start, and it could yet get even better.
First half we were pretty good. Second half, the first 10 minutes were not so good. We were not able to keep the ball so well, not able to find the players in the right positions, or run behind them. Our defensive intensity, because of this lack of possession, we were not able to squeeze as much, the distances became a little bit bigger.
We were looking for 2-1 goal to give us hope, but you know Liverpool in big spaces on the counter are so dangerous. We needed to hold the 1-0 for 10 or 15 minutes and not concede straight away.
At half-time, we said we were doing a lot of things right, but in the second half it was different.
We took more risks, we were not afraid to play one v one. They changed their tactics from what they usually do, they overloaded with midfield with a striker who is not really a striker. We took the risk in the second to press and play one on one at the back.
Because they had no striker, they had a lot of ball possession, but they were not in my opinion a goal threat.
Jones sees an incredible pass and the speed of Lucho over the first few yards gets him away.
You don’t look ahead as a manager at the next three months. You’re always one game at a time. We’ve got Aston Villa on Saturday, another tough game.
Virgil sometimes gets criticised about not stepping into the midfield. Now I would advise these people to watch this game today because he was constantly on the front foot.
Liverpool vanquish with German champions with a magnificent second-half display, and Arne Slot’s team are now out in front at the top of the Premier League and Champions League. This was a tight game for 45 minutes with Xabi Alonso’s team boxing clever, but Liverpool put their foot on the pedal shooting towards the Kop. The first goal opened the game up, and came from an exquisite Curtis Jones through ball to Diaz. From there, Leverkusen found themselves in that famous Anfield washing machine. And it was a fast spin cycle.
Darwin Nunez did his best to make a right pig’s ear of a four-on-two in Liverpool’s favour. He surely should have passed, but took the shot on. Fortunately it rebounded off Hincapie into the path of Diaz who had a simple task to finish beyond Hradecky.
Now Xabi Alonso’s name is being sung by the Kop. Gravenberch with a pull-back that was fractionally behind Robertson and the left-back shoots over. Leverkusen’s players will shortly be awarded a measure of relief in the form of the final whistle.
The chants for Alonso finally arrived in the 90th minute. He was unmoved, really, the scoreline too extreme to embrace the Kop’s love. Slot’s name was sung just before. Never saw this thumping coming at half-time but it has become a miserable reunion for Alonso. 
Quansah is on, replacing Konate. Salah very nearly in for number four after fine work from Mac Allister, but his side-foot shot is blocked. The Kop is signing Arne Slot’s name.
Kelleher has not had much to do in this game, but he makes one save with his hands and then a sharp stop with his feet to twice deny Schick. Just not happening for Leverkusen who have rather melted out of this game. Quansah is about to come on for Liverpool.
Once again, Salah turns creator as he drifts an inswinging cross in from the right. The ball breaks free for Diaz at the back post after the run of Nunez distracted Tapsoba. A smart touch and finish from Diaz.
Another two assists for Salah tonight. Liverpool are developing a healthy habit switching into fifth gear as and when necessary to win games. Four wins out of four in the Champions League incoming… the Kop will probably start singing Alonso’s name now. It is safe to do so. 
Liverpool looking ever so comfortable now, and Slot is making more changes: Gakpo, Tsmikas and Alexander-Arnold off, Robertson, Nunez and Bradley on.
Hoffman’s cross is sliced behind for a Liverpool goal kick. Alonso, like so many away managers, will walk away from a game at Anfield wondering how a game ran away from his team.
Liverpool threatening a third goal. Mac Allister’s shot is pushed away by Hradecky before Alexander-Arnold sends a shot fizzing over the bar. Andrich and Hoffman are coming on for Leverkusen in a double sub. Slot is also making a change: Szoboszlai on for Jones.
Liverpool have benefited from the Klopp-style attacking blitz in consecutive games now. They used to say in the old days they moved up a gear kicking towards the Kop and Slot is buying into that straight away.
Boniface with half a chance for Leverkusen but he headed wide. Salah tries a cheeky cross with the outside of his foot. Leverkusen looking dishevelled defensively now. Liverpool’s first goal was so good, Slot put his hands on his head in the celebrations.
Just like against Brighton on Saturday, Liverpool have floored their opponents with a quickfire combination. It was a sweeping move from back to front, and Salah lofted in a delightful cross for Gakpo to head home. Liverpool have found a gear with which Leverkusen are unable to cope.
Liverpool thought they had scored two in two minutes at home again! But the flag went up for offside against Gakpo who planted a header home from a Salah cross. I’m not sure this is offside…VAR are checking.
There has been a paucity of attacking quality in this game, but that is a brilliant opening Liverpool goal. Jones drops into a pocket of space at turns, and finds Luis Diaz with a through ball that took Leverkusen’s defence out of the game. You could say Alonso-esque from Jones. Diaz capped it with an impudent chip beyond Hradecky.
And there it is… what a pass from Jones and finish from Luis Diaz. Genius decision to play him as number 9, obviously
Phwoar, WHAT A FINISH 🤤Luis Diaz, take a bow! #UCLonPrime pic.twitter.com/GDSOSxOeVD
Better control from Liverpool in the last 10 minutes, but they are yet to test Hradecky. 
Gravenberch then commits the Leverkusen defence with a burst through midfield, riding a couple of challenges with real elegance, and he picked out Salah with a telling pass.
Surprisingly, Salah tried to let the ball run across his body and shoot with his right, and slipped. It looked like he had room to run around the ball and bend it with his left.
That was better from Liverpool, Diaz injecting some speed into the attack by wrapping a pass into Salah’s feet at the edge of the box. He lays it off first time to Jones who twists and turns but shoots over the bar. The crowd show they appreciate the idea.
The Anfield crowd grow agitated at Leverkusen delaying a restart, to coin a phrase. Leverkusen’s turn now to defend with numbers behind the ball deep in their half, and Gakpo wins a free-kick in a dangerous crossing position wide left. Dealt with.
Tsimikas wins a crucial tackle on Frimpong with Liverpool exposed, even if Wirtz gave him a chance with an underhit pass. Gakpo’s cross drifts behind for a Leverkusen goal kick.
Leverkusen have a corner after a Frimpong raid down the right. Grimaldo swings one in towards the back post but it drifts behind for a goal kick. TV cameras show Alonso touched the ‘This is Anfield’ sign in the tunnel before the start of the second half.
No changes from either side at the break. With Liverpool on nine points and Leverkusen seven, there is no great imperative to go chasing.
Almost feels like both sides are happy to shake hands and take a draw already. This is the problem with the new format. No jeopardy at all at this stage of competition. Hopefully it will perk up second half.
Nothing much to write home about, but Alonso will be pleased with the extent of Leverkusen’s control. They have moved the ball well at times and have prevented Liverpool from sustaining the waves of attack that are so often a feature of Champions League games at Anfield. Nunez will surely be introduced at some stage with the space on offer behind Leverkusen. Some bright moments from Salah and Diaz but not enough for Liverpool.
In the second of two minutes stoppage time, Liverpool’s clearest opening yet. Gakpo found himself in acres of space down the left, and though the shot was from a tight angle, he had ample time because Frimpong was slow to cover. Gakpo took the shot with his left foot and went for power, but it was straight at Hradecky.
Leverkusen had the ball in the net through Frimpong – an unerring finish after Tsimikas got himself in a tangle – but the linesman spotted that Frimpong handled the ball when controlling it. Right decision. Alonso celebrated with a restrained fist pump but his joy proved short-lived.
😲 Leverkusen have the ball in the net at Anfield……but it’s ruled out because of handball! #UCLonPrime pic.twitter.com/VBA2NwAVcY
Clean hands from Kelleher to claim Grimaldo’s free-kick, although he almost bowled Liverpool into trouble with the throw out. Liverpool go on the attack, but Salah shoots straight at Hradecky from a tight angle. 
Not sure Liverpool have had a shot on target yet, although they have had more of the ball recently. I think the polite description for uneventful first halves like this is ‘tactical’.
Liverpool find themselves defending with 10 red shirts in their own defensive third after a long spell of possession from the visitors. They are certainly paying more attention to the defensive side of the game, but Leverkusen – like Chelsea and Arsenal recently – are finding it quite easy to establish a level of supremacy in the game.
Wirtz looking inventive and elusive again behind Liverpool’s midfield but Grimaldo makes a rash decision and shoots well over the bar from distance. Leverkusen continuing to show authority and play the game at their own pace in possession.
Alexander-Arnold with the chance to shoot at goal, a free-kick just right of centre and 25 yards from goal. Right in his wheelhouse. His effort flicks up over the wall and behind for a corner. Leverkusen breathe a sigh of relief.
Neither goalkeeper has made a save of note so far, both teams are doing a good job of subduing the other. Slot and Alonso will be fairly satisfied but it is not making for the most pulsating game for the Anfield crowd.
Leverkusen continue to look assured in all aspects of their game, but Grimaldo has to resort to foul means in order to stop Salah. Drags the Liverpool man down and takes the booking after he was spun on the halfway line.
Diaz then propels a Hollywood pass out to Salah, who crosses with the outside of his left foot. Flicks off the head of Tah and Mac Allister’s first-time shot is blocked. That was more enterprising from Liverpool.
Another dangerous Leverkusen attack, but Alexander-Arnold did really well to stick with Boniface as he made his run across and force the striker wide. Boniface tumbles off the pitch and suffers a painful landing. He is receiving some treatment from the physios.
Leverkusen’s interplay around the Liverpool box is causing problems with Wirtz seeing plenty of the ball. The playmaker flicks a pass through to Frimpong, who goes down under the challenge of Van Dijk looking for a penalty but nothing doing. It looked like Van Dijk missed the ball but he pulled out of the challenge in time.
Leverkusen in control rather like Brighton in the first half last weekend. Liverpool need a spark. Shouldn’t be too difficult with the fireworks going off incessantly around Anfield.
Van Dijk with a pin-point switch of play out to Salah but Garcia and Wirtz did well to slow down Alexander-Arnold. Diaz’s blocked shot spins up into the air and Tah heads clear.
Then Leverkusen break swiftly down their left through Wirtz with Xhaka helping to ball on towards Frimpong. The former Arsenal man gets it back lets fly from 25 yards, and his shot smacks Van Dijk in the face. Liverpool’s captain crumples to the turf, but is soon back on his feet. Both of Liverpool’s centre-back have taken a ball in the face so far.
Half a chance for Curtis Jones. Tapsoba sold himself and allowed Diaz to get the wrong side of him, and the Liverpool forward spread play to Salah on the right side of the penalty area. He could have looked to chop inside and shoot, but Salah rolled the ball into the path of Jones but his shot was tame and straight at Hradecky.
Leverkusen are looking to press with Boniface and Wirtz as a front two with Xhaka pushed on behind them towards Gravenberch. Alonso’s team are trusting the pace of the defenders, not backward step from the visitors so far. It is making for an interesting contest, albeit one that is very congested in the middle of the pitch.
A short break in play with Konate down which is a worry for Liverpool fans, but it was just a case of a defensive header that left him a little dazed. Excellent defending from Hincapie to get his body between Salah and the ball after Alexander-Anrold looked to clip a pass into the right channel.
Leverkusen trying to draw the venom out of the contest by playing lots of short passes when they get into the Liverpool half, before Xhaka miscues a more ambitious pass forward towards Boniface. Possession quite even so far, Leverkusen perhaps shading it, but Liverpool have had the livelier moments.
Salah with the chance to run at the Leverkusen defence but Tah makes a fine sliding interception as he looked for Diaz. Then Diaz looks dangerous once again, feeding Gakpo to his left but the ball deflects into the arm of Hradecky. Liverpool’s frontline already causing problems.
Boniface with scuffed effort wide from just outside the edge of the box. Diaz for the time being has drifted into a more central position with Cody Gapko on the left. Leverkusen do well to force Tsimikas back to Kelleher, who kicks long back to the German side. Wirtz tries to release Frimpong with a first-time pass but it is misdirected.
Not sure Luis Diaz has played as a number 9 before, certainly not for Liverpool. That is where he is starting this game.
Leverkusen trying to squeeze Liverpool high up the pitch, but Mac Allister releases Diaz with a swerving pass on the volley, cutting across the ball delightfully. Leverkusen clear the wingers ball into the box. Leverkusen then look to get the ball down and play from deep, and they show good compsure to establish possession in the Liverpool half.
After a minute’s silence to remember the lives lost in the flooding that has afflicted Valencia, the game gets under way.
A couple of fireworks going off outside the ground on November 5.
Xabi Alonso is still in the Leverkusen dressing room, but he will surely have heard that full-throated rendition of You’ll Never Walk Alone. Leverkusen’s fans all had their scarves held aloft.
It’s like an Istanbul reunion at Anfield with former Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez also in attendance. All eyes are searching for Djimi Traore now.
“We can talk after the game!”Xabi Alonso knows there’s history to be made at Anfield…#UCLonPrime pic.twitter.com/c6zk6WLSK2
Feels great to be back at Anfield, it cannot get much better than Champions League here. Really looking forward to the game, it is going to be nice. I did not get the chance to come back as a player, now as a manager. We are going to get a very demanding.
Not too much [speaking about the Anfield atmosphere]. We spoke more about the game, our opponent. For sure, there is a moment when Anfield gets up and you need to have a plan, so let’s see. But we speak more about our idea.
All eyes on Xabi Alonso before kick-off and the Kop has a dilemma. Will they chant his name ahead of the game to get the sentiment out of the way, or gamble on their hope of Liverpool getting a few goals up before serenading the legend of Istanbul?
As for the Liverpool team news…
At the start of his career Dominik Szoboszlai was being tipped as the next Steven Gerrard. He has been more like the next Jonjo Shelvey in the last few games and drops to the bench tonight.
Kostas Tsimikas retaining his place at left back is another sign of how Andy Robertson needs more time to recover from recent exertions and it looks like Cody Gakpo will play as a false nine this evening. The tactical tweak from Slot must be to ensure Liverpool will not be outnumbered in midfield.
The same setback we had against Arsenal [falling behind against Brighton], two times we were a goal down. This is one of the strengths of this team, they have done it for years. The first half was quite poor on our side, or very good from Brighton, depending how you want to see it. I don’t think there was a bit more intensity in the second half, I think there was a lot, a lot, a lot more!
We only have four forwards available and have to rotate in our front three. Today is a good day to play Lucho [Diaz]. 
Like most teams who play against us it looks like they change something [Leverkusen], looking at their line-up. They usually play with three attackers, and it looks like they go with three in midfield and two attackers, depending how you see Wirtz.
Depsite Joe Gomez winning plaudits for his performance against Brighton, Konate returns to partner Van Dijk. An obvious choice for Slot but there was some thought that he could keep Konate under wraps for Villa on Saturday. Alexis Mac Allister has looked a little leggy, but he keeps his place in midfield with Curtis Jones instead replacing Dominik Szobszlai. Slot has gone with Gakpo over Nunez in the centre-forward role.
Palacios and Garcia replace Mukiele and Andrich in the Leverkusen team that drew 0-0 with Stuttgart. Former Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka returns to Anfield, a ground where he never tasted victory during his time in England. He was sent off here in a League Cup semi-final first leg in 2022.
Team news! 📣 Curtis Jones back in the starting XILiverpool 🆚 Bayer Leverkusen#TelegraphFootball | #UCL pic.twitter.com/itLl95sBga
Your Werkself in Liverpool tonight! 👇🖤❤️#LIVB04 #UCL pic.twitter.com/Gwh05F4KQo
Liverpool XI: Kelleher; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Jones; Salah, Gakpo, Diaz
Subs: Jaros, Davies, Gomez, Endo, Szoboszlai, Nunez, Robertson, Quansah, Morton, Bradley
As Chris Bascombe explores in this piece, Alonso is not the first former Liverpool player to return as an opposition manager. Sir Kenny Dalglish and Steven Gerrard, possibly the two best players in the club’s history, have done the same. Dalglish’s Blackburn Rovers team were crowned Premier League champions at Anfield in 1995 of course, pipping Manchester United to the title even though Liverpool won the game. So everyone went home happy. Ian Rush and Robbie Fowler also faced Liverpool as players after leaving, and Alonso can except the same warm reception afford to those two great strikers.
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Xabi Alonso looked like Liverpool’s chosen one following the departure of Jurgen Klopp, but tonight he returns to Anfield as an adversary in charge of German champions Bayer Leverkusen. Alonso, a Champions League winner with Liverpool in 2005, was not quite as close to the job as first appeared with the Spaniard steadfast in his decision to remain at Leverkusen. Liverpool went for Arne Slot, who looks to be in for the long haul (by the standards of modern football at least) after an impressive start. Liverpool have established a solid lead at the top of the Premier League and are one of two teams on maximum points after three matches in the Champions League’s new-look league phase. The other is Aston Villa, who visit Anfield on Saturday evening. The consensus is that 16 points, possibly 15, will assure you of automatic progression to the last-16 as one of the top eight teams. Win tonight, and Liverpool will require just a win and a draw from their remaining four games to reach that total. That should be a doddle in a competition that tends to inspire their best performances.Leverkusen’s unbeaten Bundesliga triumph made them the toast of European football last season, but things have been rockier so far. Alonso’s team have draw four of their last five Bundesliga games to sit fourth, some seven points behind unbeaten Bayern Munich. Leverkusen’s expected goal difference ranks them as Germany’s second-best team at this fledgling stage of the campaign, but they are conceding too many cheap goals with just one clean sheet in the league all season.Liverpool have Ibrahima Konaté available after an arm injury, but could choose to reward Joe Gomez with another start following an excellent showing against Brighton. Luis Diaz and Curtis Jones are pushing to be restored to Slot’s first XI. Caoimhin Kelleher will continue in goal in the absence of Alisson.Full team news on the way shortly.