Liverpool fight back from two goals down to beat Villarreal 4-3 in Champions League

Liverpool overturned an early two-goal deficit to beat Villarreal 4-3 at Anfield and make it three consecutive victories in the league phase of the Champions League.

The result moved Liverpool on to nine points, leaving them level with leaders Paris Saint-Germain but behind on goal difference. Villarreal remain on three points in 19th place and have now gone 17 consecutive Champions League matches without beating an English side.

Villarreal made the stronger start and took the lead after only four minutes. Georges Mikautadze capitalised on an error in Virgil van Dijk’s attempted header before firing past Alisson Becker.

The Spanish side continued to cause problems and doubled their advantage before the half-hour mark. Nathan Saliba released Sergi Cardona with a pass, allowing him to run through on goal and finish beyond Alisson.

Liverpool responded in the 35th minute when Alexis Mac Allister reduced the deficit. The midfielder met Kostas Tsimikas’ corner with a header and directed the ball into the net.

Mac Allister then went close to scoring again with a strike from outside the penalty area, but his effort went narrowly wide. At the other end, Alisson made a strong save to deny Santiago Mourino.

Liverpool completed their first-half recovery in added time. Rio Ngumoha delivered a cross into the area and Ronald Araujo headed the ball into his own net to bring the hosts level.

Arne Slot’s side pressed for a third goal after the restart, with Villarreal goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi making two saves in quick succession from Cody Gakpo and Florian Wirtz.

Liverpool eventually moved in front when Ngumoha reached the byline and cut the ball back to Mac Allister, who finished from close range.

Three minutes later, the home side extended their lead. Gakpo supplied Wirtz, who struck a low shot into the far corner for his first goal of the season.

Villarreal refused to surrender and pulled another goal back through substitute Tani Oluwaseyi. The forward met Ayoze Perez’s cross with a first-time finish, setting up a tense final period at Anfield.

Liverpool held on, however, completing a third straight league-phase win after recovering from a two-goal disadvantage.