Football Oct 27, 2026

Liverpool 4-3 Villarreal: Rio Ngumoha stars and Florian Wirtz scores as Reds come from two down to win in Europe

👤
By Admin
Sports Journalist
Liverpool 4-3 Villarreal: Rio Ngumoha stars and Florian Wirtz scores as Reds come from two down to win in Europe

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.

Rio Ngumoha was superb in the thrilling victory as the teenager provided two assists and gave the Villarreal defence a torrid time.

The 18-year-old told Amazon Prime: "It's up there with one of the best I've played. I enjoyed myself out there."

Two goals from Alexis Mac Allister and one apiece from Ronald Araujo and Florian Wirtz completed the turnaround, with Ngumoha instrumental. 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola speaking in the press conference:

"I think he was coming from a very good game the other day, he had a good second half against Brentford. Today he didn't have an easy game also because they were demanding him defensively and their left-back was attacking a lot.

"There was a moment offensively where he was very difficult to stop. If we can put Rio in situations one against one, he makes plays, he produces things, today the assist for Alexis is a lovely play. He could go down for a penalty but he decides to continue which is a great decision.

"Also endurance wise he is able to play more and more minutes. We were pushing him a little bit. He was tired but I think he has done a good effort and I'm very happy for him.

"I am happy with his attitude because he is eager to improve things that we think he needs to improve. He is eager to add more things to his game.

"He has been on the right lately, he is feeling more comfortable now, shooting on his left, he can add this to his game. He is only 18, still not the full package and it is not always going to be like this, there will be ups and downs in the process."

Villarreal head coach Inigo Perez speaking in the press conference:

"The key moment was when they equalised to make it 2-2 just before half-time. We had a fantastic first half. But the mentality and emotion drops, theirs grows and it affects you, particularly at Anfield. But we still managed to stay in the game until the end.

"Rio Ngumoha had a great game but many other players played well. There were emotions, there were goals. When you play at Anfield these things can happen. When a goal is scored here, you can feel the reaction.

"But I don't think we were close to being hammered. I believe if we are able to correct simple details - but elite details - we would be able to win on these big stages."

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

Tags:

football report

Share this article

Related Posts

WCL: Chelsea 2-0 Roma: Blues continue unbeaten start as Ellie Carpenter and Kadeisha Buchanan score

WCL: Chelsea 2-0 Roma: Blues continue unbeaten start as Ellie Carpenter and Kadeisha Buchanan score

Chelsea continued their unbeaten start in the Women's Champions League as goals from Ellie Carpenter and Kadeisha Buchanan secured a 2-0 win against R...

Barcelona 1-2 Real Madrid: Kylian Mbappe scores late winner in El Clasico to beat LaLiga leaders

Barcelona 1-2 Real Madrid: Kylian Mbappe scores late winner in El Clasico to beat LaLiga leaders

Kylian Mbappe's double took Real Madrid to a famous 2-1 Clasico win, which had Jose Mourinho sliding on his knees in celebration in Barcelona.It was t...

Barcelona 1-2 Real Madrid: Kylian Mbappe scores late winner in El Clasico to beat LaLiga leaders

Barcelona 1-2 Real Madrid: Kylian Mbappe scores late winner in El Clasico to beat LaLiga leaders

Kylian Mbappe's double took Real Madrid to a famous 2-1 Clasico win, which had Jose Mourinho sliding on his knees in celebration in Barcelona.It was t...

Derby County 1-1 Wrexham: Ollie Rathbone strikes late to earn a point for the Red Dragons at Pride Park

Derby County 1-1 Wrexham: Ollie Rathbone strikes late to earn a point for the Red Dragons at Pride Park

Derby are still without a home win after Ollie Rathbone scored late on to earn Wrexham a 1-1 draw at Pride Park.The Rams were on course for victory th...

Chelsea 5-1 Bournemouth: Jordan Henderson's stunning strikes help fast-starting Blues to bounce-back win

Chelsea 5-1 Bournemouth: Jordan Henderson's stunning strikes help fast-starting Blues to bounce-back win

Chelsea thumped Bournemouth 5-1 in a stunning show of their attacking firepower to go fifth in the early Premier League table.Stunning strikes form Jo...

Preston North End 0-1 Millwall: Camiel Neghli's late strike inflicts opening defeat for new Lilywhites boss Graham Alexander

Preston North End 0-1 Millwall: Camiel Neghli's late strike inflicts opening defeat for new Lilywhites boss Graham Alexander

Camiel Neghli ensured it was a baptism of fire for new Preston manager Graham Alexander as his late strike sealed a 1-0 win for Millwall at Deepdale.I...