Just like Guy Fawkes’ plot to kill the king, Bayer Leverkusen’s plot to beat Liverpool failed and they were ultimately humiliated this evening.
There were fireworks in the first half, not on the pitch but outside of Anfield. The first half was a tense affair with neither side really testing the other’s goalkeeper. The best chance of the half came from Jeremie Frimpong whose goal was disallowed for a handball in the build-up. The positive for Leverkusen however was the fact that they have gone to Anfield and have been able to dominate the ball.
The second half was completely different, Liverpool turned up the tempo and Leverkusen struggled to handle the six-time Champions League winners. In the 61st minute, Luis Diaz gave Liverpool the lead and then two minutes later it was 2-0 to the hosts when Cody Gakpo scored a header. After the second, Leverkusen looked as if they were resigned to their fate and never lacked any true drive to mount a comeback. As the game ticked towards the final whistle, Diaz was able to score two more to complete his hat-trick.
The loss for Leverkusen was the first time in a while you could look at their performance and believe that they truly deserved the result and the loss was only their second of the season.
Die Werkself were poor for much of the second half and the result shows the level that Leverkusen are at compared to the biggest teams in Europe. Defensively, Leverkusen were unable to deal with Liverpool’s front four, while on the attacking front, they were unable to provide Victor Boniface with the necessary service.
So fittingly on Bonfire Night, Leverkusen’s initial plan looked promising but when it came to crunch time they crumbled and were put to the sword by Liverpool.
At the weekend, Leverkusen travel to Bochum who recently hired Dieter Hecking as their new head coach.
Bayer Leverkusen XI:
Lukas Hradecky (4), Edmond Tapsoba (4), Jonathan Tah (4), Piero Hincapié (4), Jeremie Frimpong (5), Aleix Garcia (5), Exequiel Palacios (5), Granit Xhaka (5), Alejandro Grimaldo (5), Florian Wirtz (5), Victor Boniface (4)
Others: Robert Andrich (5), Jonas Hofmann (4), Patrick Schick (-), Nathan Tella (-)
GGFN | Jack Meenan
