What Xabi Alonso and Thiago Alcantara did in Liverpool tunnel at Anfield

Xabi Alonso and Thiago Alcantara were pictured hugging in the Anfield tunnel following Liverpool's emphatic win over Bayer Leverkusen.

The pair, who both played for Liverpool but at different times, were teammates at club and international level, having played together for Bayern Munich between 2014 and 2017, while their Spain careers also crossed over between 2011 and 2014.

And they shared a warm embrace, clasping hands before hugging and walking off together following another memorable European night at Anfield — although not one that Alonso will look back on with fondness.

The Champions League clash between the two sides was billed as a showdown between the head coach Liverpool got, and the head coach Liverpool might have got, and the final result suggested the Reds ended up with the right man as they ran out 4-0 winners.

• Four talking points from Liverpool's win over Bayer Leverkusen

• Liverpool player ratings PLUS winners and losers from victory over Leverkusen

Luis Diaz netted a second-half hat-trick while Cody Gakpo scored again to maintain Liverpool's 100 per cent record in Europe, as well as record a 14th victory in 16 matches in all competitions.

Alonso was full of praise for Liverpool but admitted the severity of the defeat took the gloss off what should have been a special night for the Spaniard; the match marked the first time since Alonso had returned to Liverpool in a competitive match since his departure as a player in 2009.

“I think they are a complete team,” Alonso said of his old club. "They are able to defend, to score, they have power in both boxes, they can keep clean sheets and they are able to score with not many chances.

“That is a great strength in the Champions League, especially in the next round. They have this power but it is still too early to tell. The team has a good balance. The coach is doing great work so far. It’s looking a promising season but we are still in November.

“I have bitter feelings with the game which mean I can’t enjoy the reception [from Liverpool's fans] too much, but I really appreciated it and was thankful that even after so many years that I come here and I have this bond with the club. It was nice but it would have been nicer with a better result.”