Cody Gakpo names 'amazing' moment that changed everything for Liverpool against Leverkusen

Liverpool winger Cody Gakpo admitted that everything changed against Bayer Leverkusen when Luis Diaz scored a stunning chip to open the scoring in Tuesday's Champions League clash at Anfield.

The Reds stormed to a 4-0 win over Leverkusen on Xabi Alonso's return to Anfield, but the score didn't reflect the opening hour of play. The first 60 minutes were extremely cagey, but once Liverpool opened the floodgates it looked as though they were impossible to stop.

Curtis Jones played a perfect pass to Diaz who lifted the ball over Leverkusen goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky to put Liverpool ahead after 61 minutes, before Gakpo doubled the lead two minutes later with a header from close range. Diaz completed a late hat-trick, finishing from close range before slotting home a rebounded effort from Darwin Nunez.

Gakpo was extremely satisfied after the game but refused to claim it as Liverpool's best win of the season. "4-0, I think a good result against a very good team. I don't know if it's the best one but it's a good one."

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The Dutch forward then added: "They (Leverkusen) play a very good game, a very tough opponent but we kept going. We kept trying and creating chances, defending well. In the end, the goal came. The mood of the game came from the first goal.

"Fantastic pass by Curtis and an amazing finish from Lucho. I think it was very important to open the game and then after that, it was a little easier to score the second." The Liverpool fans also carried the team through after a stale first half, and Gakpo added: "They play a very big part."

The win puts Liverpool top of the Champions League standings, and they are the only team to win all four opening games. Fellow Premier League side Aston Villa can match Liverpool's start with a win away to Club Brugge on Wednesday, but the Reds have a higher goal differential.

It was a tough return to Anfield for Alonso, who hasn't witnessed a competitive game at the iconic stadium since 2009. Alonso signed for Liverpool as a player in 2004, spending five years at Anfield before joining Real Madrid in a deal worth $38 million.

Alonso's mood may have been ruined by the end of the game, but before kick-off, he was delighted to be back. "It feels great," Alonso told Amazon Prime before kick-off. "It can't get much better than the Champions League at Anfield.

"I'm really looking forward to the game. I didn't have a chance to come back as a player but I am back as a manager." Alonso was linked with replacing Jurgen Klopp in the summer, but opted to stay in Germany, prompting Liverpool to hire Arne Slot.