- Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk committed a major error inside four minutes against Villarreal to hand the Spanish side a shock lead at Anfield.
- Van Dijk misjudged a header back to goalkeeper Alisson, inadvertently looping the ball to Villarreal striker Georges Mikautadze, who finished with aplomb.
- TNT Sports commentator Alan Shearer described the mistake as an absolute nightmare from the Dutch defender following a nervous opening period for Liverpool's back four.
- The early goal stunned Anfield into silence as the visitors took advantage of the uncharacteristic lapse in concentration.
- Liverpool entered the tie aiming to extend their perfect start in the Champions League following earlier victories over Atletico Madrid and LASK.
IN FULL
Virgil van Dijk howler gifts Villarreal shock opener as ‘lazy’ Liverpool capitulate