Liverpool came back from two down to win 4-3 against Villarreal in the Champions League on Tuesday night, continuing their perfect start in the competition.

The Reds made the worst possible start, with Virgil van Dijk misplacing a header back to Alisson Becker that fell short. Georges Mikautadze was on hand, taking a perfect first touch and finishing neatly across his body. Villarreal made it two when a well-worked move opened up their hosts all too easily, and it ended with left-back Sergi Cardona slotted home with a nice finish.

That was just the start of the first-half entertainment, though. Alexis Mac Alllister headed home a corner to get Liverpool back in the game, and just before half-time, the lively Rio Ngumoha delivered a teasing cross that Cardona completely misjudged, allowing Ronald Araujo to head home at the back post.

Liverpool were much better in the second half, barely giving Villarreal a breath, and they completed the comeback in the 65th minute when Ngumoha beat his man, looked up and found Mac Allister in the box, and the Argentine rifled a shot off the underside of the bar. Three minutes later, substitute Alexander Isak found Florian Wirtz, who slotted into the far bottom corner.

Villarreal rallied after that and got one back through Tani Oluwaseyi, ensuring a nervy finish for the Reds, but they managed to see out the win.

Here we give the Liverpool stars school-style grades for their performances in the win.

Alisson Becker - B

Little he could do about the first two goals. Pulled off a good save in the 40th minute to stop the scoreline from going to 3-1. That proved a vital save. There wasn't too much to do after that.

Ronald Araujo (Off at 45') - D

Dragged high up the pitch constantly as he fell victim to a clear plan from Villarreal to expose him. Made up for it somewhat with a back-post header to equalise before the break. He gets a mark back for the goal, but Araujo was really poor here.

Jeremy Jacquet (Off at 73') - B

Error-free from Jacquet, which is all you can ask.

Virgil van Dijk - D

A shambles of a header back towards his keeper, selling Alisson short and allowing Mikautadze to score the opener. He steadied after that, until the final moments when he let a man spring past him with ease before crossing for the third Villarreal goal.

Kostas Tsimikas - D

Played the second goal onside by playing much deeper than his teammates. That kept happening until Liverpool wrestled back some control, capping a poor display.

Trey Nyoni - C

Not overly involed by tidy enough here.

Ryan Gravenberch - B

Slotted into right-back for the second half. Helped Liverpool look much more solid there, but he should have looked up to mark Tani Oluwaseyi for the Villarreal third.

Alexis Mac Allister - A

Got Liverpool back into the game with a nice near-post header from a corner. He worked hard throughout here and was regularly spotted sprinting back to make key interceptions. He then scored the goal to go ahead with a fine first-time finish.

Rio Ngumoha (Off at 73') - A

Dangerous throughout. A real third in the side of Villarreal. Provided the cross for the equaliser. Scintillating run to create the third goal, finishing off the run with a perfect cut back to Mac Allister.

Cody Gakpo - B

One of Liverpool's livelier players in the first half, although he struggled to create chances. Often found space to receive the ball and helped the Reds look dangerous.

Lewis Koumas (Off at 66') - C

Some clever pieces of skill and always moving, but didn't have the strength to stretch the Villarreal back line.

Substitutes

Floran Wirtz (On at 45') - B

Produced a fine bottom corner finish to score the fourth. He looked brighter here.

Alexander Isak (On at 66') - B

Provided a nice assist for the fourth goal, making an immediate impact.

Joe Gomez (On at 73') - C

Solid enough as Villarreal rallied late on.

Bradley Barcola (On at 73') - C

Didn't offer much.