Liverpool overturn two-goal deficit while Foden hat-trick powers Manchester City past AEK Athens

Liverpool recovered from conceding twice inside the opening half-hour to beat Villarreal 4-3 at Anfield, while Phil Foden scored three times as Manchester City defeated AEK Athens 5-1 in the Champions League on Tuesday.

The result was Liverpool’s third consecutive win in the league phase, leaving them second in the table with nine points, behind Paris Saint-Germain only on goal difference. Villarreal are 19th with three points.

Manchester City moved up to sixth on six points after responding to their defeat by Paris Saint-Germain in the previous round. AEK Athens sit 27th with three points.

Liverpool complete dramatic comeback

Villarreal made the stronger start at Anfield, taking the lead after four minutes when Giorgi Mikautadze capitalised on an error by Virgil van Dijk as the Liverpool defender attempted to return the ball to his goalkeeper.

Sergio Cardona doubled the visitors’ advantage in the 29th minute, leaving Liverpool facing the prospect of a damaging home defeat.

The hosts, however, restored parity before half-time. Alexis Mac Allister reduced the deficit in the 36th minute before Ronald Araujo headed in Liverpool’s second in the third minute of added time, meeting an excellent cross from Rio Ngumoha.

Mac Allister completed Liverpool’s turnaround in the 65th minute, putting the home side ahead for the first time. Four minutes later, Florian Wirtz extended the lead to 4-2 with a well-placed finish into the right-hand corner after Cody Gakpo created the opportunity.

Villarreal continued to threaten and Tani Oluwaseyi gave them renewed hope by scoring three minutes before the end of normal time. Liverpool held on during the closing stages, though, to preserve their perfect record.

Foden delivers in Haaland’s absence

Manchester City also took control early at the Etihad Stadium. Elliot Anderson opened the scoring after 12 minutes before Foden doubled the advantage with a composed finish from inside the penalty area in the 34th minute.

AEK Athens reduced the deficit seven minutes into the second half when Stavros Pilios scored, but Ryan Cherki restored City’s two-goal lead in the 57th minute.

Foden then took charge of the contest. He scored again in the 65th minute and completed his hat-trick 11 minutes later, finishing into an unguarded net after a decisive pass from Ryan McAidoo.

The treble secured a commanding victory for City in the absence of Erling Haaland, with manager Enzo Maresca choosing to rest the striker and leave him on the substitutes’ bench for the entire match.