The finest compliment to Xabi Alonso, Arne Slot wrote in his programme notes, “is to be the best Liverpool that we can possibly be with no quarter asked and no quarter given.” Liverpool obliged to perfection to give their former favourite a harrowing return to Anfield.

The champions of Germany were dissected in a dominant second-half performance by Liverpool who maintained their 100% record in this season’s Champions League courtesy of a Luis Diaz hat-trick and a Cody Gakpo header. Leverkusen were unbeaten themselves before arriving at Anfield. They left chastened, Liverpool soaring to the top of the table with the confidence of a team that has won a remarkable 14 of the first 16 games under Slot.