Liverpool secured all three points after they came from two goals down to beat Villarreal 4-3 in a thrilling UEFA Champions League match at Anfield.
Alexis Mac Allister scored twice, while Ronald Araujo and Florian Wirtz also found the net as the Reds secured their third straight win in the league phase.
The visitors looked set for a famous away victory after taking a 2-0 lead, but the host fought back strongly. Tani Oluwaseyi scored late to make the finish tense, yet the home side held on to claim all three points.
Villarreal shocked the home fans in the fourth minute after a costly mistake by Virgil van Dijk. The Liverpool captain misjudged a header, allowing Georges Mikautadze to collect the loose ball and fire a low left-footed shot past Alisson Becker.
Liverpool struggled to settle as the La Liga team continued to find space behind the home defence. Mikautadze had another chance to increase the lead in the 19th minute but failed to pick out teammate Santi Comesana in a promising position.
The visitors scored again in the 29th minute. Nathan Saliba played a pass through the host’s defensive line, allowing Sergi Cardona to run into the penalty area and calmly beat Alisson.
The Premier League team were now two goals behind, but they began to create more chances as the first half progressed. The host pulled one goal back in the 36th minute of the match.
Kostas Tsimikas delivered a corner from the right, and Mac Allister rose inside the box to send a powerful header past the goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi which made it 2-1.
The midfielder nearly scored again moments later with a long-range effort that went narrowly wide. The away side also threatened, forcing Alisson into an important save from Santiago Mourino’s powerful shot.
Liverpool completed their comeback before half-time. In the second minute of added time, Rio Ngumoha collected a partially cleared corner and sent an excellent cross towards the far post.
Ronald Araujo arrived unmarked and headed home from close range to make it 2-2. The Premier League side kept at it before heading for the break.
Liverpool returned from the break with Florian Wirtz replacing Araujo, while the visitors introduced Tani Oluwaseyi for Nathan Saliba.
The home side looked more dangerous, with Ryan Gravenberch forcing a save from Gulacsi and Cody Gakpo testing the goalkeeper with a low shot. Trey Nyoni also sent a powerful effort narrowly wide.
The Reds took the lead for the first time in the 65th minute. Ngumoha produced an impressive run down the right, beating defenders before cutting the ball back into the box.
Mac Allister struck first time, with his shot going in off the underside of the crossbar to make it 3-2. Three minutes later, the host extended their advantage as play continued.
Tsimikas helped start the move, Gakpo carried the ball into the penalty area and picked out Wirtz. The German midfielder took a touch before firing a low left-footed shot into the bottom corner for 4-2.
Ngumoha was later substituted to a standing ovation after providing two assists in an outstanding performance for the night at Anfield.
Liverpool had chances to add another goal. Gakpo missed an opportunity to play in Alexander Isak before seeing his own shot blocked. Isak also had a late effort blocked from a tight angle.
The visitors continued to push forward as the match continued. Gerard Moreno curled a shot wide, while Ayoze Perez struck the base of the post with an effort that was ruled offside.
The visitors made it 4-3 in the 87th minute. Perez reached the right byline and delivered a cross towards the far post, where Oluwaseyi finished with a first-time left-footed shot.
Perez then had another attempt in stoppage time, but his effort from outside the box was blocked. Liverpool survived the late pressure to secure a dramatic 4-3 victory which gave them three points.
The host finished the game with 53 per cent possession and 22 shots, compared with their opponent’s 14. The Reds recorded seven shots on target, while the visitors managed five.
Villarreal received two yellow cards, while Liverpool received none. Santiago Mourino was booked in the first half after bringing down Gakpo during a counterattack.
Mac Allister’s two goals and Ngumoha’s two assists proved decisive as the Premier League team maintained their perfect start to the Champions League league phase.
The result gave Liverpool three wins from three matches and showed their ability to recover under pressure. Villarreal will regret losing a two-goal advantage which they could have done better.
