Liverpool staged an impressive comeback to defeat Villarreal 4-3 in a seven-goal UEFA Champions League thriller after recovering from a two-goal deficit at Anfield.
Villarreal made a fast start, with Georges Mikautadze opening the scoring in the fourth minute before Santi Cardona doubled the visitors’ advantage in the 29th minute.
Liverpool responded before half-time, as Alexis Mac Allister scored in the 41st minute following a move created by Kostas Tsimikas.
The hosts completed their first-half comeback in stoppage time when Ronald Araújo scored an own goal in the 45th minute plus two minutes, sending the teams into the break level at 2-2.
Liverpool carried their momentum into the second half, with Mac Allister scoring his second goal in the 65th minute after being set up by Rio Ngumoha.
Florian Wirtz extended the home side’s lead four minutes later, converting a chance created by Cody Gakpo to put Liverpool 4-2 ahead.
Villarreal refused to give up and reduced the deficit in the 87th minute through T. Oluwaseyi, who finished from an assist by A. Pérez.
However, Liverpool held on under late pressure to secure all three points after turning around a difficult start.
The victory demonstrated Liverpool’s attacking resilience, while Villarreal were left to regret their failure to protect a two-goal lead despite their promising opening spell.
