Alan Shearer has warned Liverpool it needs to cut out 'mistake after mistake' against Brighton if it wants a positive result at Anfield, as Andoni Iraola faces a selection dilemma

Liverpool has been warned it must eliminate 'mistake after mistake' when facing Brighton if it's to secure a positive outcome. The Reds emerged as 4-3 victors over Villarreal in the Champions League on Tuesday, though it was forced to overturn a deficit to claim all three points.

Georges Mikautadze netted in just the fourth minute to give Villarreal the lead, before Sergi Cardona doubled the advantage just before the half-hour mark. Liverpool managed to draw level before the interval courtesy of goals from Alexis Mac Allister and Ronald Araujo.

The Reds completed their comeback in the second period as Mac Allister found the net once more, with Florian Wirtz then extending their advantage. Villarreal did, however, ensure a tense conclusion as Tani Oluwaseyi struck with merely three minutes left on the clock.

The victory ensured Liverpool preserved its perfect record in the Champions League thus far this campaign. It returns to Premier League duties at the weekend when it hosts high-flying Brighton at Anfield.

Looking ahead to that fixture, former Premier League striker Alan Shearer has cautioned Liverpool about its defensive frailties. Brighton presently occupy third position in the Premier League standings, reports the Liverpool Echo.

Speaking to Betfair, he said: "I did the game on Tuesday at Anfield, and for thirty-five minutes they were as bad as I've seen them. Mistake after mistake after mistake. They found themselves 2-0 down, they couldn't find a pass, and they were far too open. They were really, really poor.

"Somehow, which is a good thing, without playing well, they somehow found a way back to two-all just before half-time. They had a very good last nine minutes of the first half and got back to two-all.

"The manager, obviously realising, changed things, put [Ryan] Gravenberch into right back, brought Virgil van Dijk on and in every department, they improved in the second half.

"They were quicker to the ball, they closed people down. There were still one or two concerns defensively. I mean, it was an uncomfortable last three or four minutes because of Villarreal getting that late goal.

"They're going to have to improve massively defensively. I mean, they conceded three in the last Champions League game, they conceded three at home to Villarreal. Yet they've won three out of three in that competition. So, they're going all right in the league, but they've got a big test coming up, they've got some tough fixtures.

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"They have Brighton up next in the league, and the way they are playing, the form they're in, they will exploit Liverpool if they play as open as they have been doing, because too many defensive mistakes, too much space in between and in behind the back ball. Brighton will definitely exploit that."

One tactical change that Shearer would like to see Andoni Iraola implement for the fixture is to hand Rio Ngumoha a starting berth. The 18-year-old proved instrumental against Villarreal, setting up two of the four goals scored.

Shearer reckons that his displays warrant selection ahead of big-money summer acquisitions Victor Munoz and Bradley Barcola, who arrived for a combined $210 million (£157M) during the summer transfer window.

Both have presented Iraola with a fitness worry heading into the weekend. Munoz was absent from Thursday's training session, while Barcola worked separately from the main squad.

"Even in the first half an hour against Villarreal, he was the only player in a red shirt who was performing well," Shearer said. "He was positive. He ran with his defender on toast. Everything he did was exciting, you know.

"We could hear the crowd. Every time he got the ball, there was an anticipation and a demand for him to get out the fullback. So, he was very good in the first half, but even better in the second half.

"I mean, some of his runs and his assist for Mac Allister was superb. The question is does he play him at the weekend against Brighton because of Munoz and because of Barcola? I think it would be a real shame if he didn't after that performance. I know the calibre of those two, but if it was me, I'd leave him in there. I think he deserves to start at this weekend.

"They've got a phenomenal talent there, and I know he's only eighteen years of age, but there's just something about giving a youngster the freedom to go and play and do what he wants. I know the pressures, and I know what comes next, and the demand is that you've got to be on the pitch on a regular basis, which then becomes tough, you know."