Liverpool vs Villarreal player ratings — Reds come from behind to claim seven-goal thriller

Alexis MacAllister and Rio Ngumoha were both impressive for Liverpool. | Photo Credit: AP

Liverpool overturned a two-goal deficit as it came from behind to defeat Villarreal 4-3 in a topsy-turvy UEFA Champions League 2026-27 match at Anfield on Tuesday, October 20.

The English side’s defensive issues were on display once again, but it showcased enough attacking firepower to walk away from the clash with all three points.

The travelling Spanish side ruthlessly exposed Liverpool’s high defensive line early on, with Georges Mikautadze and Sergi Cardona both finding space in behind to score.

However, the Reds hauled themselves back into the match with two goals from crosses. Alexis MacAllister first flicked a Kostas Tsimikas corner in, before Ronald Araujo capitalised on Villarreal’s failure to clear Rio Ngumoha’s delivery to level before the break.

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Ngumoha would be key to Liverpool’s third as well, using his pace to beat his man and square for MacAllister to turn in off the bar before Cody Gakpo set up Florian Wirtz for a fourth.

Tani Oluwaseyi turned home a cross from Ayoze Perez with minutes to go, but Andoni Iraola’s side was able to hold on to secure all three points.

LIVERPOOL VS VILLARREAL PLAYER RATINGS

Liverpool: Alisson (5.7); Araujo (7.4), Jacquet (6.8), Van Dijk (5.6), Tsimikas (8.4); MacAllister (9.3), Nyoni (7.9), Gravenberch (7); Gakpo (8.5), Koumas (7.1), Ngumoha (8.9); Subs: Wirtz (8.7), Isak (6.1), Gomez (6.7), Barcola (6.4).

Villarreal: Gulasci (6.4); Mourino (6.4), Pau Navarro (5.8), Veiga (5.6), Cardona (5.7); Comesana (6.1), Gueye (7.1), Saliba (6.9); Buchanan (6.3), Mikautadze (7.7), Moliero (6.2); Subs: Oluwaseyi (7.3). Foyth (5.9), Freeman (6.2), Perez (7.4), Moreno (5.9).