UEFA Champions League Gameweek 3
Liverpool 4 - 3 FT Villarreal
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Futmetrix Verdict
52
FT
Thu, Oct 22
Bournemouth
3-0
AC Milan
⚡ Intensity
75
⚖️ Balance
20
🏆 Stakes
3
🎲 Upset
0
Two penalties, one red card, total control
Futmetrix Verdict
26
FT
Thu, Oct 22
Sturm Graz
1-0
Marseille
⚡ Intensity
22
⚖️ Balance
31
🏆 Stakes
11
🎲 Upset
60
Diakité struck; Marseille never answered
Match Statistics
Possession
Shots
Shots on Target
Expected Goals (xG)
Passes
Corners
Fouls
Yellow Cards
Red Cards
Match Events
Alberto Moleiro 27'
Sergi Cardona Bermúdez (Nathan-Dylan Saliba) 29'
36' Alexis Mac Allister (Konstantinos Tsimikas)
45' ↓ Ronald Araujo ↑Florian Wirtz
↓ Nathan-Dylan Saliba ↑Tani Oluwaseyi 45'
45'+2 Ronald Araujo (Rio Ngumoha)
HT
↓ Alberto Moleiro ↑Juan Foyth 54'
↓ Georges Mikautadze ↑Ayoze Pérez 60'
↓ Tajon Buchanan ↑Alex Freeman 60'
65' Alexis Mac Allister (Rio Ngumoha)
66' ↓ Lewis Koumas ↑Alexander Isak
68' Florian Wirtz (Cody Gakpo)
74' ↓ Jérémy Jacquet ↑Joe Gomez
74' ↓ Rio Ngumoha ↑Bradley Barcola
↓ Santi Comesaña ↑Gerard Moreno 78'
81' ↓ Treymaurice Nyoni ↑James McConnell
Tani Oluwaseyi (Ayoze Pérez) 87'
FT
Player Cards
Our take on every player in this match
Liverpool
Goalkeepers
Alisson Becker 
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Defenders
Ronald Araújo 
SNIPER
100%
Conversion
100%
Conversion
1
Goals
1
Shots
Jérémy Jacquet
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
74
Total Mins
74
Entry
Virgil van Dijk 
PROVOCATEUR
2
Fouls Won
2
Fouls Won
6
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
Konstantinos Tsimikas 
ARCHITECT
4
Key Passes
4
Key Passes
1
Assists
41%
Pass Acc
Midfielders
Ryan Gravenberch 
STORMTROOPER
2
Shots
2
Shots
0
Goals
1
On Target
Trey Nyoni 
MAGNET
93
Activity
93
Activity
87
Passes
6
Duels
Alexis Mac Allister 
HITMAN
2
Goals
2
Goals
2
On Target
9.2
Rating
Forwards
Rio Ngumoha
ARCHITECT
3
Key Passes
3
Key Passes
2
Assists
24%
Pass Acc
Lewis Koumas
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
66
Total Mins
66
Entry
Cody Gakpo
ARCHITECT
3
Key Passes
3
Key Passes
1
Assists
43%
Pass Acc
BENCH
Giorgi Mamardashvili 
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Freddie Woodman
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Luke Chambers
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Joe Gomez 
ENFORCER
4
Tackles
4
Tackles
4
Duels Won
80%
Win %
Miloš Kerkez
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
James McConnell
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
9
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Florian Wirtz 
SWEEPER
3
Cleanups
3
Cleanups
1
Interceptions
2
Blocks
M. Laffey
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Bradley Barcola
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
16
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Jayden Danns
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Alexander Isak
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
24
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Villarreal
Goalkeepers
Péter Gulácsi
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Defenders
Santiago Mouriño
ARCHITECT
2
Key Passes
2
Key Passes
0
Assists
34%
Pass Acc
Pau Navarro
ENFORCER
3
Tackles
3
Tackles
4
Duels Won
80%
Win %
Renato Veiga
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Sergi Cardona
SNIPER
50%
Conversion
50%
Conversion
1
Goals
2
Shots
Midfielders
Nathan-Dylan Saliba 
PROVIDER
1
Assists
1
Assists
1
Key Passes
6.5
Rating
Pape Gueye
MAGNET
72
Activity
72
Activity
61
Passes
11
Duels
Tajon Buchanan
SWEEPER
3
Cleanups
3
Cleanups
2
Interceptions
1
Blocks
Santi Comesaña
LATE SHIFT
12
Late Mins
12
Late Mins
78
Total Mins
78
Entry
Alberto Moleiro
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
54
Total Mins
54
Entry
Forwards
Georges Mikautadze
SNIPER
100%
Conversion
100%
Conversion
1
Goals
1
Shots
BENCH
Luíz Júnior
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Juan Foyth
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
36
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Alexander Freeman
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
30
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Logan Costa
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Alassane Diatta
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
C. Macia
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Ayoze Pérez
ARCHITECT
3
Key Passes
3
Key Passes
1
Assists
10%
Pass Acc
N. El Jmili
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Gerard Moreno
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
12
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Tani Oluwaseyi 
CLUTCH HERO
87
Goal Time
87
Goal Time
Goal
Impact
7.1
Rating
Ilias Akhomach
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Head to Head
| Date | Home | Score | Away | Competition | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 05/03/2022 | Villarreal | 2 - 3 | Liverpool | UEFA Champions League | Estadio de la Cerámica |
| 04/27/2022 | Liverpool | 2 - 0 | Villarreal | UEFA Champions League | Anfield |
| 05/05/2016 | Liverpool | 3 - 0 | Villarreal | UEFA Europa League | Anfield |
| 04/28/2016 | Villarreal | 1 - 0 | Liverpool | UEFA Europa League | Camp El Madrigal |
05/03/2022
04/27/2022
05/05/2016
04/28/2016
Liverpool Win
Villarreal Win
Draw
League Standings
P: 2 GD: +7
P: 2 GD: +7
P: 2 GD: +7
P: 2 GD: +5
P: 2 GD: +4
P: 2 GD: +4
P: 2 GD: +2
P: 2 GD: +2
P: 3 GD: +1
P: 2 GD: +5
P: 3 GD: +3
P: 2 GD: +2
P: 2 GD: +2
P: 2 GD: +1
P: 2 GD: +1
P: 2 GD: 0
P: 2 GD: 0
P: 2 GD: -1
P: 2 GD: -2
P: 2 GD: -3
P: 3 GD: -3
P: 2 GD: -4
P: 3 GD: -6
P: 2 GD: -1
P: 2 GD: -2
P: 3 GD: -3
P: 2 GD: -2
P: 2 GD: -3
P: 2 GD: -4
P: 2 GD: -5
League Standings
P: 2 GD: +7
P: 2 GD: +7
P: 2 GD: +7
P: 2 GD: +5
P: 2 GD: +4
P: 2 GD: +4
P: 2 GD: +2
P: 2 GD: +2
P: 3 GD: +1
P: 2 GD: +5
P: 2 GD: +2
P: 2 GD: +2
P: 2 GD: +1
P: 2 GD: +1
P: 2 GD: 0
P: 2 GD: 0
P: 2 GD: -1
P: 2 GD: -2
P: 2 GD: -3
P: 3 GD: -3
P: 2 GD: -4
P: 3 GD: -6
P: 2 GD: -1
P: 2 GD: -1
P: 2 GD: -2
P: 3 GD: -3
P: 2 GD: -2
P: 2 GD: -3
P: 2 GD: -3
P: 2 GD: -4
P: 2 GD: -5
Match previews and recaps to help you decide which games are worth watching
Liverpool
Villarreal
Liverpool
Villarreal
Win Probability
Futmetrix AI estimate
Anfield Awakens: Liverpool Overcome Early Shock in Seven-Goal Classic
Must-Watch Futmetrix Score: 95/100. A breath-taking comeback cemented Liverpool’s top-eight aspirations on a chaotic and thoroughly entertaining European night.
The Early Ambush
Villarreal didn't read the expected script. By the 29th minute, Anfield was stunned into a nervous silence. Georges Mikautadze struck first in the 4th minute, exploiting a hesitant backline to silence the famous Kop early on. The visitors kept pressing, and Sergi Cardona Bermúdez doubled their advantage, exposing further defensive frailties from the hosts. The Upset Factor felt very real as the Spanish outfit threatened to capsize the heavily favored home side. But Liverpool kept their composure and edged possession (53%), slowly turning the screw as they began to probe the flanks and test the visiting goalkeeper. They refused to panic, laying the groundwork for a chaotic and thrilling comeback before the halftime whistle could offer any respite.
The Pivot
The momentum shifted violently in the closing stages of the first half. Alexis Mac Allister sparked the revival with a crucial strike, and Ronald Araujo levelled matters deep in stoppage time, capping off a frantic period of relentless attacking. The Balance of power swung entirely upon the restart. Mac Allister secured his heroic brace in the 65th minute to hand the hosts their first lead of the night. Shortly after, substitute Florian Wirtz hammered home a fourth goal, completely turning the tie on its head. The sheer Intensity of Liverpool's 22-shot bombardment finally cracked their opponents' stubborn resolve, transforming a potential disaster into a breathtaking showcase of offensive firepower that left the away sector completely breathless. The home side simply found another gear.
Resolution
Just when the massive Stakes seemed firmly settled, substitute Tani Oluwaseyi clawed one back for the resilient visitors in the 87th minute, ensuring a nerve-shredding conclusion to an already chaotic fixture. Ultimately, Liverpool's attacking depth prevailed to secure a sensational 4-3 victory. This vital Champions League triumph keeps them sitting comfortably in the top eight of the league phase standings, perfectly placed for automatic progression to the knockout rounds. Meanwhile, a valiant Villarreal side remains stranded in the playoff zone, left to rue what might have been after surrendering a commanding early advantage. Nights like these remind everyone exactly why Anfield remains one of the most formidable fortresses in European football, leaving supporters thoroughly entertained by a true modern classic.
Key Questions
What made A. Mac Allister the Man of the Match?
He sparked the comeback with a crucial first-half strike before securing his brace to take the lead, completely dictating the midfield tempo.
What caused the 7-goal thriller?
An early two-goal lead forced Liverpool into a relentless attacking frenzy, generating 36 combined shots in a chaotic end-to-end spectacle.
How did Liverpool complete the comeback from behind?
Relentless pressure and a quick-fire double before halftime restored belief, allowing Mac Allister and Wirtz to capitalize on the shifting momentum.
What is the Futmetrix Score?
The Futmetrix Score is our 0-100 verdict on how entertaining a match is. We look at intensity, balance, stakes, and star quality to tell you if it's worth your time.
Top-Eight Ambitions Meet Playoff Bubble Pressure
Highly Entertaining Futmetrix Score: 73/100. Liverpool look to cement an automatic progression spot against a Villarreal side desperately clinging to their playoff lifeline.
The Setup
Anfield sets the stage for a crucial European tie on October 20, 2026. Liverpool sit fifth with a perfect six points, eyeing direct qualification to the last 16. Their formidable Form speaks volumes, with eight goals across two matches highlighting a ruthless attacking edge. Villarreal arrive sitting 14th on three points. They are caught right in the messy middle of the playoff pack. The Stakes are absolutely clear: a loss for the visitors risks dragging them out of the top 24 altogether, while the hosts want to avoid the knockout round playoffs completely. The sheer volume of Stars on display promises high quality, but tactical discipline will ultimately dictate the result.
Key Battle
The spotlight falls on A. Isak facing off against Alberto Moleiro. The home striker is devastating penalty areas right now, offering a focal point that will rigorously test the Spanish backline. On the flip side, Moleiro operates as the creative hub for the visitors. If he finds pockets of space, he can disrupt the host's rhythm and launch deadly transitions.
Our Prediction
Expect the home side to dictate the tempo early. The Spanish outfit possess decent Balance on the counter, but dealing with relentless waves of pressure in front of the Kop is a different beast entirely. We back the hosts to overwhelm the visitors, securing a comfortable victory to strengthen their hold on the top eight.