The result is painful – Xabi Alonso beaten on return to Liverpool

Xabi Alonso admitted his Anfield return had been a “painful” experience as Luis Diaz’s hat-trick helped Liverpool to a 4-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen.

The German champions had the better of the first half but the floodgates opened once Diaz put the home side ahead shortly after the hour mark.

Cody Gakpo was also on the scoresheet as Liverpool continued their impressive start to life under Arne Slot.

Liverpool v Leverkusen = The Luis Diaz Show ✨

All three goals from the Colombian in their 4-0 victory… ⚽️⚽️⚽️#UCLonPrime pic.twitter.com/fqh6uW0aQq

— Amazon Prime Video Sport (@primevideosport) November 5, 2024

For Alonso, however, his hopes of a positive result back on Merseyside were dashed as his side capitulated after going behind.

The former Liverpool midfielder told Amazon Prime: “I think that in the first half, we were pretty good. Second half, we were not so good and we weren’t able to keep the ball well or find the positions. Our intensity in the defence got lower and they weren’t squeezing much. The second goal was hard for us. The result is painful, the performance is more painful.

“It can happen that you come to Anfield and lose. To lose 4-0 is not nice. They are a top, top team and they punished us. It was a pity we couldn’t hold 1-0 for 15 to 20 minutes. They did it against Brighton, they did it against us.”

‘Congratulate Liverpool and move on’

Alonso said he would not dwell too long on the result.

He added: “We were ready to come here and give our best. We did okay for some part but the game changed in 20 minutes. Liverpool are strong. We lacked some power and consistency. Defeat, accept it, congratulate Liverpool and move on.”

Alonso grateful for warm reception

The Spaniard, who was heavily linked with the Liverpool job before it went to Slot, was a popular figure during his time as a player at Anfield and was afforded a warm reception from the Kop before and after the game.

He said: “I will try to separate the game and the pain from the result to the feelings of coming back and having love. I’m really thankful to have that reception.

“It’s early to tell but I can see that Liverpool have a very good balance, a very complete team. They work the 11 players and they have the power to hold a clean sheet which is important in the Champions League. In the Premier League, let’s see. It’s early to tell but it’s looking good.”