Liverpool recovered from a dreadful start at Anfield to preserve their perfect Champions League record in a seven-goal thriller.
Liverpool came from 2–0 down to defeat Villarreal 4–3 at Anfield, leaving them comfortably inside the Champions League top eight. Three wins from three in the league phase have given the Reds a maximum nine points.
Andoni Iraola made six changes to the side that beat Brentford 2–1 at the weekend. Victor Muñoz missed out after suffering a knee injury in that victory, while Jeremie Frimpong and Dominik Szoboszlai were also unavailable after picking up muscular problems.
Liverpool starting XI: Alisson; Araujo, Van Dijk, Jacquet, Tsimikas; Mac Allister, Gravenberch, Nyoni; Ngumoha, Koumas, Gakpo.
Substitutes: Mamardashvili, Woodman, Gomez, Kerkez, Wirtz, Isak, Barcola, Chambers, McConnell, Danns, Laffey.
Sloppy Start Costs Liverpool
Villarreal made the sharper start and punished a sloppy Liverpool opening in the fourth minute. Virgil van Dijk’s attempted header back to Alisson instead presented Georges Mikautadze with a chance from a tight angle, and the forward finished clinically to put the visitors ahead. Liverpool struggled to create meaningful chances, and their task became harder in the 29th minute when a defensive mix-up left Cardona one-on-one with Alisson. He made no mistake to double Villarreal’s lead.
Liverpool Fight Back Before Half-Time
Liverpool found a lifeline seven minutes later when Alexis Mac Allister headed home from a Kostas Tsimikas corner. The equaliser arrived just before half-time: Rio Ngumoha produced an excellent piece of play and delivered an inch-perfect cross to the back post, where Ronald Araujo headed in to send the sides into the break level at 2–2.
After the game, Iraola admitted Liverpool needed an extra man in midfield after being outnumbered centrally. His response was to replace Araujo with Florian Wirtz and move Ryan Gravenberch to right-back, from where he could drift inside and correct the numerical mismatch. The change transformed the contest. Liverpool took control, with UEFA and Liverpool player of the match Ngumoha tormenting the Villarreal defence before cutting the ball back for Mac Allister to score. Cody Gakpo, making his first Liverpool start since being injured on international duty, then set up Wirtz for a composed finish. Villarreal ensured a nervous ending when Oluwaseyi converted an Ayoze Pérez cross in the 87th minute, but Liverpool held on for all three points.
Turning point
Iraola’s half-time adjustment proved decisive. Gravenberch’s movement from right-back gave Liverpool greater control in midfield, while Ngumoha’s direct running supplied the cutting edge. The comeback demonstrated both the manager’s tactical flexibility and the squad’s growing resilience.
Liverpool are developing a habit of recovering from difficult positions, something that was often missing last season. Under Iraola, they have now come back to win or draw five of their opening 11 matches, with Manchester City the only side to beat them. That contest had remained goalless until Liverpool were reduced to ten men. The fight and determination within this team are becoming increasingly clear. Liverpool now have a few extra days to recover before hosting Brighton in the Premier League on Sunday.
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