Liverpool fans make Xabi Alonso feelings clear during win over Bayer Leverkusen

Liverpool fans inside Anfield on his first appearance back on Merseyside since he was a player for the Reds, where he won the .

A hat-trick from and a strike from in a second half filled with goals secured a massive win for as his side became the first to reach 12 points in UEFA's top competition this season. But the narrative was always going to involve Alonso too.

With cruising by the end of the second half, The Kop and the rest of the stadium was afforded the chance to serenade the Spaniard, singing his name on repeat and then his famous song about the Reds having the "best midfield in the world".

Before the game, Alonso was spotted . And after the game, he caught up with Arne Slot in the tunnel with the respect between the pair absolutely clear.

"For sure, there is a moment when hits you that you need a plan," he said before kick-off. "But it is more about the football and our idea. Liverpool is probably the best team in Europe but for us, it's a great game. The game is a tough one but we need to play with our personality and ideas. Let's see if that is enough to get something from Anfield."

Liverpool.com says: Ultimately, it wasn't a game for Alonso to remember. His side did really well in the first half but in the second, Liverpool ripped through his defense because of Curtis Jones, Luis Diaz and Cody Gakpo.