Liverpool's Luis Díaz scored a hat-trick in a 4-0 win over Xabi Alonso's Bayer Leverkusen at Anfield on Tuesday as they continued their perfect Champions League campaign with an impressive second-half display.

Arne Slot's men, who top the Premier League table, provisionally lead the standings in Europe's elite club competition with their fourth win in four games, while Aston Villa, the only other team with a 100 per cent record, are in the fourth Game against Club Brugge plays Wednesday.

Leverkusen's defeat spoiled the return of coach and former Liverpool hero Alonso, who won the Champions League trophy with the Reds in 2005 and was heavily touted as a replacement for former coach Jurgen Klopp before pulling himself out of the running.

“The result is probably more painful than the performance,” Alonso told Amazon Prime. “But this is the Champions League, this is the highest level, and today it wasn’t enough for us.”

“I tried to separate the game and the pain of the result from the nice feelings of coming back. I am really happy and grateful for this reception,” he added of the warm welcome he received from the Anfield crowd.

However, Slot has proven to be a worthy replacement for Klopp, recording his 14th win in 16 games on Tuesday.

Photo by John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images

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In the 61st minute, Diaz broke the deadlock in what had been a sluggish affair in breathtaking fashion by steering Curtis Jones' precise pass through the middle of the Leverkusen defense before lifting the ball over keeper Lukas Hradecky.

Gakpo doubled the Reds' lead two minutes later when he headed Mohamed Salah's cross to the back post. The goal was initially ruled offside, but the decision was overturned by VAR.

Diaz scored his second goal in the 83rd minute when he intercepted a cross from Salah and then parried a challenge before firing past Hradecky.

“We have quality players all over the pitch, but actually today I really enjoyed playing in this position and wherever I play on the pitch I will work hard and hope I can help the team. ” ” Diaz said, adding that he planned to look for the game ball.

He completed his hat-trick with a shot from close range in stoppage time after Darwin Núñez's shot was blocked, securing the six-time winners of Europe's top competition a crucial win against the Bundesliga champions in all last season had only lost once in competitions.

“Four-0, good result against a very good team. I don’t know if it’s the best result (this season) but it’s good,” Gakpo told Amazon Prime.

In a dismal first half, both teams lacked quality in the final third. Leverkusen's Jeremie Frimpong was denied by a handball in the build-up game shortly before half-time, while Gakpo wasted a great chance for Liverpool and shot straight at Hradecky after playing the ball up the left side.

Alonso's Leverkusen are currently in 11th place in the Champions League standings with two wins, one draw and one defeat.

The 42-year-old Alonso played 210 games for Liverpool in five years from 2004 and was part of the team that made a miraculous comeback in the Champions League final win against AC Milan in Istanbul.