FC Liverpool vs. Bayer Leverkusen 4-0: You’ll never wait alone!

Champions League at Anfield, FC Liverpool vs Bayer Leverkusen. When the floodlights are on, it becomes magical – our editor has experienced this atmosphere live in Liverpool multiple times. On November 5, 2024, it was: Premier League leaders against the German champions from Leverkusen. With a clear 4:0 (0:0) victory for Liverpool Football Club.

Erik Meijer did not want to commit before the game. The esteemed colleague, expert at Sky, who played professionally for both clubs, said: “I was a Liverpool fan as a child, but I had my best sporting time in Leverkusen, so I hope for a great game – and a 3:3.”

The number of goals almost matched his prediction, but a spectacular draw could not be offered by Leverkusen on this November 5, 2024. They showed too much respect for Anfield and its atmosphere. 

Only 120 Seconds

In just 120 seconds, the outstanding Colombian striker "Lucho", Luis Diaz, and the Dutchman Cody Gakpo scored the 1:0 and 2:0 (61st / 63rd minute), ensuring that for German clubs from East and West at Anfield even after 19 attempts: You’ll never wait alone!

The wait continues. A German team has never won at FC Liverpool – the closest was probably Borussia Dortmund during the legendary 3:4 Europa League quarterfinal in 2016. 

It was 3:1 for BVB for a long time, but they failed to crush the then-Jürgen Klopp-coached "Reds" and wasted numerous chances. In the end, it became an epic game still talked about in Liverpool today.

First a minute of silence for the people in Valencia, then a magical night at Anfield against Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League: FC Liverpool in the honor formation. Photo: Imago / Offside Sports Photography

Xabi Alonso on Liverpool: “It is hard to describe what you feel on the pitch”

Leverkusen's coach Xabi Alonso still likes to talk about his time at Merseyside, where he became a title collector as a player: Champions League winner and UEFA Super Cup winner in 2005, FA Cup winner and Community Shield in 2006. 

“I have to clearly separate the result from the emotions and love I felt during my comeback. I am very grateful for this reception. It is hard to describe in words what you feel on the pitch,” Alonso said at the post-match press conference about the almost magical atmosphere at Anfield, “it gives the Liverpool players an extra boost.”

True. You have to feel Anfield. In 2008, I was allowed to walk on Anfield’s sacred turf as part of a stadium tour with the unforgettable Graham Agg. 

A football trip to FC Liverpool for a Champions League night match? Magical. Just ask Lionel Messi and FC Barcelona 2019 (0:4). 

It starts with You’ll Never Walk Alone, the world-renowned anthem that is not just sung but celebrated, as they showcase banners with the Champions League triumphs on The Kop, Liverpool’s famous fan stand. Against Leverkusen, there was also a minute of silence for the victims of the weather disaster in Valencia, during which the stadium was so quiet that you could hear a pin drop. Last but not least: “The Voice of Anfield,” the calm stadium announcer George Sephton. 

FC Liverpool has won the “Big Ears” six times already, and in the new league format, they have won all four matches under coach Arne Slot – and after the fourth matchday, they are the new number one in Europe.

The Premier League lead was reclaimed by “The Reds” earlier with a 2:1 victory against Brighton & Hove Albion.

FC Liverpool vs Bayer Leverkusen – part of the truth of You’ll never wait alone is also that Leverkusen was the last German team to defeat LFC. That was on April 9, 2002, in the Champions League quarterfinals (4:2). Meinolf Sprink, in leadership positions at Bayer 04 Leverkusen for nearly 25 years, said in a 2007 premiere documentary: “It was the best game ever played in Leverkusen.” 

Also because of this banner in the BayArena: “Leverkusen will never walk alone too!”