Liverpool came from two goals down to defeat Villarreal 4-3 in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday, with Alexis Mac Allister scoring twice as teenage winger Rio Ngumoha delivered an impressive performance at Anfield.
The victory extended Liverpool’s perfect start to the competition, although the hosts had to overcome a difficult opening period after defensive errors allowed Villarreal to establish an early advantage.
Georges Mikautadze opened the scoring for Villarreal in the fourth minute after Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk failed to deal with the danger.
Sergi Cardona doubled the visitors’ lead in the 29th minute, leaving the hosts facing an uphill battle.
Liverpool responded before the break, with Mac Allister reducing the deficit before Ronald Araújo scored in stoppage time to bring the hosts level at 2-2.
Ngumoha played a crucial role in the equaliser, providing the cross that Araújo converted.
The 18-year-old winger continued to trouble Villarreal after the restart, using his pace and dribbling ability to stretch the visitors’ defence.
His attacking contribution helped Liverpool turn the contest around, with Mac Allister scoring his second goal in the 65th minute.
Florian Wirtz extended Liverpool’s advantage three minutes later, scoring his first goal since April to put the hosts in a commanding position.
Villarreal, however, refused to surrender and Tani Oluwaseyi pulled one back in the 87th minute, setting up a tense finish.
Liverpool held on to secure all three points and maintain their winning run in the Champions League.
Ngumoha, who had impressed as a substitute against Brentford on Saturday, received a standing ovation when he was replaced in the 74th minute.
The result further strengthened Liverpool’s position among the leading teams in the competition, while Villarreal were left to reflect on a performance in which their early dominance was undone by the hosts’ second-half response.
