Steve Nicol admits he was ‘shocked’ by something that happened during Liverpool 4-0 Bayer Leverkusen

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Liverpool recorded arguably their best result under Arne Slot as they brushed aside Bayer Leverkusen 4-0 to move to the top of the UEFA Champions League standings.

Luis Diaz’s first Liverpool hat-trick and a close-range header from Cody Gakpo – all in the second half – gave the Reds a commanding win at Anfield as Xabi Alonso endured an unhappy return to his old hunting ground.

While Slot’s side dominated the second half, the game was quite even before the interval as Leverkusen played some good football in the opening exchanges.

Liverpool emphatically put their opponents to the sword, but Steve Nicol has been taken aback by a stat from the game which makes for interesting reading.

Steve Nicol shocked Bayer Leverkusen had more possession than Liverpool

The Reds scored four unanswered goals in the second half and were by far the superior team as they launched waves of attacks after Diaz broke the deadlock.

However, it was brought to Nicol’s notice that Leverkusen actually had more possession than Liverpool during the game, a star that really took him by surprise.

“Do you know what? For the majority of the game, I thought Liverpool were absolutely in control,” said Nicol on ESPN FC’s YouTube channel.

“I think after 20 minutes, Leverkusen had a wee spell of six-seven minutes where they were getting some possession. But before that and after that I thought we were in control.

“I’m shocked at that stat we just saw there – Leverkusen had more of the ball? Because I don’t remember that.

“I never at any stage was in any feat that Liverpool weren’t going to win this game. There was no question. For a ninety-minute period, this was Liverpool’s best of the season by far. Total control.”

Underlying numbers from Liverpool 4-0 Bayer Leverkusen

Leverkusen did have more of the ball but weren’t purposeful enough with their passing, particularly in the second half as Liverpool saw off the game rather easily.

In what was arguably his toughest test in Europe, Slot passed it with flying colours to once again prove that the Reds did the right thing by giving him the job after Jurgen Klopp.

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