It was the hardest blow landed on Xabi Alonso since Nigel de Jong turned into Jackie Chan and kung-fu kicked him in the chest in the 2010 World Cup final. His German champions were not just beaten but embarrassed by the club which holds such a big place in his heart.
His homecoming started and ended well, with a respectful touch of the ‘This Is Anfield’ sign on arrival and a rousing rendition of his name by the Kop at full-time. But everything in between saw his Bayer Leverkusen team outclassed by Liverpool and Arne Slot.