Liverpool staged a dramatic comeback to defeat Villarreal 4-3 at Anfield on Tuesday, recovering from a two-goal deficit to maintain their perfect start to the Champions League campaign.
Villarreal looked poised for a memorable victory after taking a deserved 2-0 lead inside the opening 30 minutes through Georges Mikautadze and Sergi Cardona.
However, defensive lapses proved costly for the Spanish side as Alexis Mac Allister and Ronald Araujo scored to bring Liverpool level before half-time.
Mac Allister struck again 25 minutes from time to put the hosts ahead, before substitute Florian Wirtz added a fourth goal to complete the comeback. Villarreal scored late through Tani Oluwaseyi to set up a tense finish, but Liverpool held on for all three points.
The victory lifted Liverpool alongside Paris Saint-Germain at the top of the Champions League standings, with both teams collecting nine points from their opening three matches.
Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola had opted to leave several key attacking players out of his starting line-up, with Alexander Isak and Bradley Barcola among those named on the bench ahead of Sunday’s Premier League clash against high-flying Brighton.
Villarreal took advantage of the hosts’ much-changed side and opened the scoring just four minutes into the match.
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk misjudged a headed clearance towards goalkeeper Alisson Becker, allowing Mikautadze to capitalise and finish calmly from close range.
Villarreal coach Inigo Perez appeared to have prepared his side effectively to exploit Liverpool’s weaknesses, as the visitors repeatedly found space against the home defence.
Perez’s managerial career took an unexpected turn after he was denied a work permit to join Iraola as an assistant at Bournemouth. He instead became head coach of Rayo Vallecano, having previously worked under Iraola, and guided the Spanish club to the Conference League final last season.
His side’s understanding of Iraola’s tactical approach was evident during a dominant first half, as Villarreal repeatedly exposed Liverpool’s defensive vulnerabilities.
Their pressure yielded a second goal when Nathan Saliba picked out the advancing Cardona, whose composed finish beyond Alisson doubled the visitors’ advantage.
Liverpool’s attacking players had struggled to create clear chances until Mac Allister sparked the comeback with a looping header from Kostas Tsimikas’s corner.
The goal gave the hosts renewed belief, and young winger Rio Ngumoha began causing problems for the Villarreal defence with his pace and direct running.
Liverpool drew level before the interval when Ngumoha delivered a cross that Cardona failed to deal with at the far post. Araujo seized the opportunity to head home the equaliser.
The defender’s goal proved to be his final contribution, as he was replaced by Wirtz at half-time.
Liverpool emerged with greater urgency after the break, and Ngumoha again played a decisive role in turning the game around.
The teenager surged down the right flank before delivering a low cross that Mac Allister struck against the underside of the crossbar and into the net to give Liverpool a 3-2 lead.
Just three minutes later, Wirtz extended the advantage. Cody Gakpo picked out the German midfielder, who finished confidently to score his first goal of the season and answer questions over his attacking output.
Despite falling behind, Villarreal continued to threaten, and Oluwaseyi reduced the deficit with a well-struck finish from Ayoze Perez’s cross, setting up a nervous closing spell at Anfield.
Liverpool, however, held firm to secure a crucial victory and strengthen their position in the race for the Champions League knockout stages.
The result left Liverpool with a maximum nine points from three matches, while Villarreal remained on three points after suffering their second defeat of the league phase.
AFP
