It was not the game at Anfield that Xabi Alonso or Victor Boniface hoped for as the Reds decimated Bayer Leverkusen
Super Eagles star Victor Boniface had a nightmare evening at Anfield as his Bayer Leverkusen side were hammered 4-0 by Premier League giants Liverpool in the UEFA Champions League.
While it was a night to forget for Boniface and Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso, who returned to his old stomping grounds, the same could not be said for Liverpool forward Luis Diaz who was in rampant form.
The Colombian forward scored a sensational second-half hat-trick to put Bayer Leverkusen to the sword and continue Liverpool’s incredible start in the Champions League first round.
DIaz’ opener was followed by Cody Gakpo’s goal ratified by VAR before the Colombian took matters into his own hands in the closing embers of the match to complete a ruthless win for the Reds.
The first half saw little action and ended goalless, with Jeremie Frimpong's goal disallowed due to handball.
However, Liverpool came back stronger after the break, and Luis Diaz broke the deadlock with a clever chip assisted by Curtis Jones.
Cody Gakpo quickly followed up, heading in a cross from Mohamed Salah to make it 2-0, before Diaz continued to shine, netting two more goals to complete his first Liverpool hat-trick and seal the win.
The German champions left with no comeback, overshadowed by Liverpool's second-half firepower as the Reds climbed to the top of the Champions League standings with a perfect record.