Rio Ngumoha shines in comeback Villarreal win but unsung Liverpool hero was true star
Liverpool 4-3 Villarreal: Andoni Iraola recovered from the worst half-hour of his Anfield tenure so far to earn victory in a seven-goal thriller
The night Ian Rush turned 65, Liverpool celebrated their most prolific No 9 while the real star of the show was the man in the No 10 shirt. Alexis Mac Allister, akin to a No 8, shone brightly in the match against Villarreal and ensured that the worst half-hour of Andoni Iraola's tenure did not cost the team. The Uruguayan's attempts to rest and rotate players backfired, and Iraola's taste of European nights at Anfield brought twin continental comebacks, each featuring Mac Allister's strong performance.
Despite Villarreal's superb start and early opener, Liverpool's Mac Allister scored the first goal from a corner and doubled his tally when he crashed in a shot from six yards off the underside of the bar. Additionally, Florian Wirtz, brought on at half-time, scored Liverpool's fourth goal to secure a 4-3 victory for the Reds.
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Also reported by 4 other outlets
- ‘Ruthless’ teen Ngumoha inspires Liverpool comeback in Champions League winnipegfreepress.com
- Worst start of Iraola era? Virgil van Dijk howler gifts Villarreal shock opener as ‘lazy’ Liverpool capitulate sports.yahoo.com
- UCL: Liverpool beat Villarreal 4-3 in seven-goal thriller punchng.com
- The night 'ruthless' Ngumoha came of age for Liverpool bbc.co.uk
