Liverpool came from two goals down to defeat Villarreal 4-3 at Anfield and make it three wins from three in this season’s Champions League.
Two goals from Alexis Mac Allister and one apiece from Ronald Araujo and Florian Wirtz completed the turnaround, with Rio Ngumoha superb. All of it came after Virgil van Dijk’s poor header allowed Georges Mikautadze to score in the fourth minute.
It was the earliest that Liverpool had fallen behind at Anfield in a major European tie for a quarter of a century but worse was to come when Sergi Cardona raced through to finish off a slick move for the Spanish side’s second, a deserved lead at that stage.
But Mac Allister’s header from Kostas Tsimikas’ corner pulled one back and the lively Ngumoha then fashioned an equaliser when Araujo ghosted in at the far post with Cardona sleeping. It was hardly deserved but Liverpool were rampant after the break.
Liverpool’s Ronald Araujo scored a first-half equaliser
The introduction of Wirtz undoubtedly helped but it was Ngumoha whose dancing feet opened up the Villarreal defence to set up Mac Allister for his second. Wirtz then made it four himself with a left-footed finish beyond Peter Gulacsi. His relief was palpable.
Substitute Florian Wirtz put Liverpool 4-2 up
Andoni Iraola will likely feel the same after Tani Oluwaseyi set up a nervous finish. Liverpool have conceded three goals in each of their last two Champions League games but won them both. It has not been entirely convincing but it is a third victory in a row.
Analysis: Ngumoha lights up Anfield
They played Rio by Duran Duran upon the final whistle at Anfield, so obvious was it that the winger had been the best player on the pitch. Mac Allister scored two, Wirtz had his big moment but for all the expensive signings on show, Rio Ngumoha was the standout.
Ngumoha finished with two assists and seven successful dribbles. There were times when three Villarreal players were trying to stop him but it never deterred him and you always sensed that the teenager had the trickery and the talent to find a way through.
Rio Ngumoha’s touch map for Liverpool in their 4-3 Champions League win over Villarreal
It was a privilege to watch him play and impossible not to imagine what is ahead for him. “On the ball, this kid has so much quality,” said Daniel Sturridge on Amazon Prime. “It is stuff you can’t teach. What he does with the ball at his feet, it is God-given ability.”
There is more to learn, of course. He was partially culpable for Villarreal’s second goal, failing to track a runner. But that was hardly a story on a night when Ngumoha lit up Anfield. Others are under scrutiny at Liverpool. He is just having the time of his life.
Key moments from Anfield…
4 – GOAL! Mikautadze seized on Van Dijk’s poor header to score
29 – GOAL! Cardona raced through to finish slick Villarreal move
36 – GOAL! Mac Allister nodded in Tsimikas’ right-wing corner
45+2 – GOAL! Araujo ghosted in behind Cardona to level it up
65 – GOAL! Mac Allister finished brilliant Ngumoha wing play
68 – GOAL! Wirtz’s low left-footed finish quickly made it four
87 – GOAL! Oluwaseyi scored to set up a nervous Anfield finish
