Liverpool recovered from a two-goal deficit to defeat Villarreal 4-3 in a high-scoring UEFA Champions League league phase match at Anfield on Tuesday.
The visitors took the lead in the fourth minute. Georges Mikautadze capitalised on a poor header from Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk and finished clinically. Then in the 29th minute Sergi Cardona raced through and scored after a slick move to make it 2-0.
However Liverpool pulled one back in the 36th minute. Alexis Mac Allister headed home from a Kostas Tsimikas corner. Just before half-time young winger Rio Ngumoha delivered a cross and Ronald Araujo headed in at the far post to level the score at 2-2.
After the restart Liverpool increased the pressure. In the 65th minute Ngumoha again created danger down the flank and Mac Allister finished for his second goal of the night. Three minutes later Florian Wirtz, introduced as a substitute, slotted home a low left-footed shot after a pass from Cody Gakpo to extend the lead to 4-2.
Villarreal refused to surrender. In the 87th minute substitute Tani Oluwaseyi finished neatly at the back post to reduce the deficit to 4-3. Liverpool held on through the remaining minutes and added time to secure the three points.
The result left Liverpool with three wins from three matches in the competition. Ngumoha stood out with key contributions in the build-up to two goals. Meanwhile Villarreal showed attacking threat throughout but ultimately fell short after their strong start.
