Liverpool maintained their perfect start to the UEFA Champions League league phase after coming from two goals down to defeat Villarreal 4-3 in a thrilling encounter at Anfield.
The Reds, who had won 15 of their previous 16 Champions League group and league phase matches at home, were stunned when Villarreal took the lead inside four minutes.
Georges Mikautadze capitalised on a misplaced header by Virgil van Dijk before calmly finishing past Alisson into the bottom corner.
Villarreal continued to threaten and doubled their advantage before the half-hour mark. Nathan Saliba released Sergi Cardona with a well-timed pass, allowing the left-back to advance and slot the ball past Alisson.
The visitors’ two-goal lead sparked Liverpool into action, and the hosts reduced the deficit when Alexis Mac Allister headed home from Kostas Tsimikas’ corner.
Mac Allister came close to scoring again shortly afterwards, firing narrowly wide from 25 yards, while Alisson denied Santiago Mourino with an important save.
Liverpool eventually drew level in first-half stoppage time through Ronald Araujo, who headed home at the back post following an excellent delivery from Rio Ngumoha.
The hosts carried their momentum into the second half, but Villarreal goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi kept out efforts from Cody Gakpo and Florian Wirtz in quick succession.
Liverpool continued to press for the lead, and Ngumoha again proved influential when he raced to the byline before setting up Mac Allister for a simple close-range finish.
The Argentine’s second goal put Liverpool ahead for the first time in the contest.
Three minutes later, Wirtz extended the advantage after collecting a pass from Gakpo and firing a precise finish into the bottom corner for his first goal of the season.
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Villarreal refused to surrender and set up a tense finish when substitute Tanitoluwa Oluwaseyi volleyed home from Ayoze Perez’s cross.
However, Liverpool held firm during stoppage time to secure all three points and make it three wins from three matches in the Champions League league phase.
The result continued Liverpool’s impressive run against Spanish opposition, while Villarreal’s winless streak against English clubs in the Champions League extended to 17 matches, comprising six draws and 11 defeats.
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