Liverpool beat Villarreal 4-3 at Anfield.

The UEFA Champions League League Phase match took place on 20 October 2026 at Anfield, Liverpool. Both teams entered the game with the aim of securing three points, and the atmosphere was electric as the fixture unfolded in front of a passionate home crowd.

How it unfolded

Villarreal opened the scoring early, with Georges Mikautadze finding the net in the 4th minute after a left-footed shot from a difficult angle on the left side, putting the visitors ahead 1-0. The home side struggled to respond initially, and the first booking of the match came in the 27th minute when Alberto Moleiro (Villarreal) was shown a yellow card for a bad foul.

Just two minutes later, Villarreal doubled their lead. Sergi Cardona scored in the 29th minute, converting a left-footed shot from the centre of the box into the bottom left corner. The goal was set up by Nathan Saliba, who delivered a through ball following a fast break, making it 2-0.

Liverpool began their comeback before the half-hour mark. Alexis Mac Allister reduced the deficit in the 36th minute, heading home from the centre of the box after a Kostas Tsimikas cross that originated from a corner, bringing the score to 2-1. Four minutes later, Santiago Mouriño (Villarreal) received a yellow card for a bad foul in the 41st minute.

The equaliser arrived just before the break. In stoppage time of the first half, Ronald Araújo headed home from the right side of the six-yard box in the 45'+2' minute, finishing a corner delivered by Rio Ngumoha to make it 2-2.

The second half saw Liverpool take the lead and extend it. Alexis Mac Allister scored his second of the match in the 65th minute, firing a right-footed shot from very close range into the high centre of the goal, again assisted by Rio Ngumoha, putting Liverpool ahead 3-2. Three minutes later, Florian Wirtz added a fourth goal for the hosts in the 68th minute, striking with his left foot from the centre of the box into the bottom right corner after a fast-break assist from Cody Gakpo, extending the lead to 4-2.

Villarreal fought back late on, with Tani Oluwaseyi scoring in the 87th minute after a cross from Ayoze Pérez, narrowing the margin to 4-3. No further goals were recorded, and the match concluded with Liverpool securing the win.

Standout performers

  • Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool) – Scored twice, once from a header and once from close range, playing a pivotal role in the comeback.
  • Florian Wirtz (Liverpool) – Added the fourth goal with a composed left-footed finish after a swift counter-attack.
  • Ronald Araújo (Liverpool) – Equalised with a decisive header from a corner.
  • Sergi Cardona (Villarreal) – Opened the scoring and provided the early advantage for the visitors.
  • Georges Mikautadze (Villarreal) – Scored the first goal of the match.

Match facts

  • Final score: Liverpool 4-3 Villarreal
  • Scorers:
    • Villarreal – Georges Mikautadze (4'), Sergi Cardona (29'), Tani Oluwaseyi (87')
    • Liverpool – Alexis Mac Allister (36', 65'), Ronald Araújo (45'+2'), Florian Wirtz (68')
  • Bookings:
    • Alberto Moleiro (Villarreal) – 27' (yellow card)
    • Santiago Mouriño (Villarreal) – 41' (yellow card)
  • Venue: Anfield, Liverpool

What it means

Liverpool’s 4-3 victory secures three points in the UEFA Champions League League Phase, keeping their campaign on track, while Villarreal’s narrow defeat leaves them with a single point from the encounter.