Liverpool recovered from a two-goal deficit to defeat Villarreal 4-3 in the Champions League at Anfield. The visitors led after an early burst, but the home side levelled before half-time and then scored twice in a short second-half spell. A late Villarreal goal made the finish tight, yet the official result stayed 4-3.

Match Summary

Villarreal were in front almost immediately. Georges Mikautadze scored after four minutes, and they added a second in the 29th minute. The scorer of that goal was not listed in match data. Alberto Moleiro had been booked two minutes before the second goal. For a stretch it looked as if the away side would take a two-goal lead into the break.

Liverpool's reply arrived before the interval. They scored in the 36th minute, with the scorer not listed in match data, then drew level in the second minute of first-half stoppage time. That scorer was not listed either. Santiago Mourino received a yellow card in the 41st minute. The teams reached half-time at 2-2, which changed the shape of the night after Villarreal's opening spell.

Control shifted after the hour. Liverpool scored in the 65th minute and again three minutes later. Neither scorer was listed in match data. Those finishes opened a 4-2 lead and gave the home side a cushion they had not had all evening. Tani Oluwaseyi scored for Villarreal in the 87th minute to cut the gap, but Liverpool saw out the 4-3 result.

Key Moments

Falling two goals behind inside half an hour put Liverpool in a chase they could not afford to leave until late. Drawing level by the interval was the first real swing, because the second half then started even rather than as a salvage job. The three-minute spell after the hour created a two-goal cushion that proved decisive. A late Villarreal goal made the finish uncomfortable, but it came too late to change who won.

Match Statistics

The shot count told a similar story to the comeback. Liverpool took 22 shots to Villarreal's 14 and found the target seven times to five. Expected goals sat at 2.37 for the home side and 1.52 for the visitors, which fitted a night when Liverpool overturned the scoreline without shutting Villarreal out. Corners went 7-2 in Liverpool's favour. Villarreal collected both yellow cards in the match, and there were no red cards for either team.

See also

• Liverpool vs Villarreal live score
• AltBets live scores
• AltBets tips
• Match recaps