Liverpool 4-3 Villarreal: Mac Allister Double Sparks Anfield Comeback From Two Goals Down
Liverpool recovered from 2-0 down to beat Villarreal 4-3 at Anfield, making it three Champions League wins from three this season.
Liverpool made life difficult for themselves before producing a stirring fightback against Villarreal at Anfield on Tuesday night, winning 4-3 after falling two goals behind inside half an hour. Alexis Mac Allister scored twice, Ronald Araújo and substitute Florian Wirtz also found the net, and the result keeps Andoni Iraola's side perfect after three Champions League league-phase matches. In Malaysia, the game kicked off at 3am on Wednesday.
A nightmare start
Villarreal punished a shaky Liverpool defence early. Georges Mikautadze scored in the fourth minute after a poor headed clearance from Virgil van Dijk, and Sergi Cardona doubled the lead on 29 minutes at the end of a quick counter-attack. Iraola had made six changes to his starting line-up, and for a while the reshuffled side looked out of rhythm.
The turnaround began from set pieces. Mac Allister headed in a Kostas Tsimikas corner on 36 minutes, and Araújo equalised in first-half stoppage time with another header, the move set up by a burst from young winger Rio Ngumoha.
Liverpool take control
The second half belonged to the home side. Ngumoha set up Mac Allister for his second goal, from close range, in the 65th minute. Three minutes later Wirtz, who had come on at half-time, finished a fast break to make it 4-2 after Tsimikas won the ball high up the pitch.
Villarreal kept going and Tani Oluwaseyi volleyed in at the back post on 87 minutes from an Ayoze Pérez cross, setting up a tense finish in front of a crowd of 59,610. Liverpool held on.
Iraola praised Ngumoha but tempered expectations, saying the winger is "still not the full package" despite his match-winning display.
What the numbers say
Liverpool had 53 percent possession and 22 shots to Villarreal's 14, with an expected goals figure of 2.37 against 1.58, according to Sofascore. The hosts also had 44 touches in the opposition box, double Villarreal's total, which reflects how much they dominated after the break. Ngumoha recorded the highest player rating on the pitch, while fans voted Mac Allister their man of the match.
The worry for Iraola is at the other end. Liverpool have now conceded three goals in each of their last two Champions League games, having won 6-3 at LASK the previous week.
Table position and next fixture
Liverpool opened their European campaign with a 2-1 win over Atlético Madrid, then won in Austria and now at home to Villarreal. That gives them nine points from a possible nine and a goal difference of +5, putting them level on points with Paris Saint-Germain at the top of the league phase after Tuesday's fixtures. Villarreal remain on three points.
It was also Liverpool's third straight win in all competitions following a 2-1 Premier League victory at Brentford on Saturday. Next up is a home league game against Brighton on Sunday 25 October, which kicks off at 10pm Malaysia time. Brighton arrive third in the table, four points ahead of Liverpool.
Key takeaways
- Liverpool trailed 2-0 after 29 minutes but won 4-3.
- Mac Allister scored twice, with Araújo and Wirtz also on target.
- Liverpool have nine points from three Champions League games, level with PSG.
- Defensive concerns remain after conceding three in back-to-back European games.
FAQ Q: What was the score in Liverpool vs Villarreal? A: Liverpool won 4-3 at Anfield on Tuesday 20 October 2026 after trailing 2-0.
Q: Who scored Liverpool's goals against Villarreal? A: Alexis Mac Allister scored twice, with Ronald Araújo and Florian Wirtz adding the others.
Q: When do Liverpool play next? A: Liverpool host Brighton in the Premier League on Sunday 25 October at 2pm UK time, which is 10pm in Malaysia.
Sources: Liverpool FC, Sky Sports, Sofascore, UEFA