Xabi Alonso dismisses Jamie Carragher 'lies' accusation as Liverpool star fumes at Florian Wirtz

Arne Slot's 100% European record as Liverpool manager continued with an impressive 4-0 hammering Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday evening. Luis Diaz struck a first-ever hat-trick for the Reds, while Cody Gakpo headed in what was his fourth goal in less than a week after back-to-back victories over Brighton & Hove Albion.

It means the Liverpool now top the revamped, 36-team Champions League and Slot's men meet Real Madrid next in the Champions League, but return to Premier League action on Saturday evening when they host Aston Villa.

But you knew all of that, right? What you might have missed, however, were a series of intriguing subplots at Anfield on what was Slot's first significant European night at his new home.

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IBOUUUUU!

Ibrahima Konate had just finished his post-match interview with LFCTV inside Anfield's mixed zone when a cry from around the corner pierced the relative quiet of what was a particularly busy area of the ground.

As Konate made his exit, a former team-mate suddenly emerged and made sure he made his presence known, not just to the defender, but to everyone else who was gathered around.

"IBOUUUUUUUU!" came the cry from a certain Thiago Alcantara, who was at Anfield to witness his former team turn in a memorable European performance. Konate seemed genuinely surprised and delighted to see his old pal.

Thiago, who retired earlier this year at the end of his Reds contract, was quick to embrace his former team-mate with a big hug that would have even impressed former manager Jurgen Klopp.

After a quick catch-up, Thiago then made a beeline for Xabi Alonso to commiserate with his former Spain international team-mate. Thiago may longer be pulling the strings in the engine room but he clearly still enjoys being around the place, it seems.

Istanbul reunion

But it wasn't just Thiago who was catching up with old friends at Anfield on Tuesday night. The press room resembled something of an Istanbul reunion evening on the night, nearly 20 years on from arguably the most famous victory in the club's history.

With Alonso back in town as Leverkusen boss embracing former colleague Luis Garcia, who was on punditry duty for a major broadcaster, Neil Mellor and Chris Kirkland were also working for LFCTV while manager Rafa Benitez was overseeing it all in the stands. It felt very much like 2005 all over again.

Maybe something of a dry run ahead of the actual 20-year anniversary in May next year?

Centre-back fumes

But of course, there would be no 'moments missed' without a fume or two during the game and Tuesday's was no exception, with a couple of particularly disgruntled reactions from a pair of centre-halves.

Earlier in the first period, Konate gave a flea in the ear of Florian Wirtz, who had subtly knocked the ball away as the Liverpool defender prepared to take a quick free-kick to restart the game.

Konate gave the Germany international a shove for his gamesmanship and made sure he let Wirtz know that his antics were not thought of fondly. Just 16 minutes were on the clock when the temperatures soared.

Later in the half Leverkusen defender Jonathan Tah took exception to what can perhaps be described kindly as a 'striker's challenge' from Luis Diaz near the centre circle. The awkward sliding tackle was met with immediate anger from Tah, who almost chased the Colombian across the pitch while he waved his finger to let him know what he thought.

Nunez makes his point

Liverpool fans' celebrations of Cody Gakpo's goal were cut short when the offside flag was raised shortly after the header had been powered in.

Watching from the sidelines, it's assumed Darwin Nunez had a better vantage point that many, including even the linesman, because the striker, who was warming up near that side when the goal went in, quickly marched over to the official waving a finger in disbelief at the decision to chalk it off.

Nunez clearly saw something the linesman did not and within a minute or two, a check with VAR showed that Gakpo was onside and the goal stood. Point well made, Darwin.

Alonso backs Carragher

And finally, it was left to Alonso to defend his old mate Jamie Carragher when the Leverkusen coach did an interview with CBS from Anfield prior to kick-off.

The 2010 World Cup winner was asked about his relationship with Carragher by presenter Kate Abdo, who suggested, with tongues in cheeks, that her colleague "lies" about how close he is with some other high-profile figures in the game.

"Our experience of Jamie on this show is that there are times when Jamie lies on this show," began Abdo.

"No! Not that much, I can't believe it!" Alonso shot back immediately, as Carragher could be heard chuckling in the background.

"So an example is Harry Kane, [Carragher] said he has texted Harry and he has come on this show and said that is not true. There are also times when he has said he has texted you. Is that true? Does he have your number? Are you friends?"

"Carra? Yeah, for sure," Alonso said. "We text, we have always texted, even when I left Liverpool. He forgave me pretty soon. So we have always been in contact."

Old mates stick together.