Liverpool Storm Back From 2-0 Down to Edge Villarreal 4-3

Villarreal struck twice before the half-hour mark

Georges Mikautadze gave Villarreal the lead in the fourth minute, and Sergi Cardona doubled it in the 29th. Each time Liverpool left a gap behind their midfield, the home side pounced on it quickly.

Alexis Mac Allister reduced the deficit in the 36th minute. That strike eased the pressure on Liverpool and gave them a realistic chance to level before the interval.

Ronald Araujo levelled at 2-2 just before the break

Ronald Araujo restored parity in the 45th minute. Liverpool had wiped out Villarreal’s two-goal cushion before half-time, so they could start the second period without forcing the pace.

Liverpool also kept more men back. That reduced the threat of Villarreal’s counter-attacks and allowed them to win loose balls close to their own penalty area.

Mac Allister and Wirtz turned the match around

Mac Allister added his second in the 65th minute, giving Liverpool their first lead of the night. Three minutes later Wirtz pushed it to 4-2, before Villarreal had come to terms with losing their advantage.

Oluwaseyi pulled one back for Villarreal in the 87th minute. Liverpool then held on to their single-goal edge over the closing stretch rather than throwing more players forward.

A win that still raises questions at the back

Liverpool stayed calm after a slow beginning and scored from different positions. Mac Allister’s pair of finishes drove the comeback, and Wirtz’s goal ultimately decided the margin.

Shipping three goals is still a worry. Liverpool did recover this time, yet the two early goals and Oluwaseyi’s late strike meant the result was far less safe than a 4-2 lead implied.