Villarreal CF endured a painful 4-3 defeat at Liverpool's Anfield on Tuesday, throwing away a two-goal lead built in the first half-hour. The result, following a 0-0 draw with Elche on Saturday 17 October, leaves Iñigo Pérez's side with their second loss in the 2026 Champions League group stage, severely damaging their hopes of reaching the knockout rounds.
Georges Mikautadze opened the scoring for the visitors after just four minutes, stunning a quiet Anfield. Sergi Cardona extended the lead in the 29th minute following a pass from Nathan-Dylan Saliba, making it 0-2. "You couldn't have asked for a better start for Villarreal, who were leading 0-2 at Anfield after half an hour, something never seen before," admitted coach Iñigo Pérez afterwards.
However, Liverpool struck back before the break. Alexis Mac Allister pulled one back with a header in the 36th minute. "A powerful header from Mac Allister from a corner reduced the deficit and brought intensity to the match," explained opposing manager Andoni Iraola. Ronald Araújo, also with a header, completed the home side's comeback in first-half stoppage time, sending the teams in level at 2-2.
The second half was a Liverpool offensive monologue. Mac Allister netted his second of the night in the 65th minute, and Florian Wirtz made it 4-2 just three minutes later. Despite a consolation goal from Tani Oluwaseyi in the 87th minute, assisted by Ayoze Pérez, Villarreal could not avoid defeat. The Yellow Submarine, who sit 12th in LaLiga with nine points from a record of two wins, three draws and four losses, showed a very different face to the one seen in their last league win, a 3-1 victory over Levante. Their recent league form reads two wins, one draw and two losses.
Elimination from the Champions League now looms as a very real possibility, shifting all focus to the domestic competition, where the team has scored 13 and conceded 13 goals. The next challenge is a key match on Saturday 24 October against Valencia, who are bottom of the table, at Mestalla. A win there is essential to correct course before the international break and begin to close the 18-point gap to leaders Barcelona. The team must quickly rediscover the defensive solidity that was missing in England to improve their league standing.
Background and full detail: El Mundo Deportes
Manager Iñigo Pérez analyzed the 4-3 defeat to Liverpool at Anfield. "It has been a match with moments for both teams," the coach declared. Pérez lamented the defensive errors that penalized the team despite scoring three goals. Villarreal, 12th in LaLiga with 9 points, now faces its next fixture against Valencia.
