Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp said his players had made “massive mistakes” in the 7-2 thrashing at Aston Villa, adding “a game like tonight should not happen”.

Klopp’s Premier League champions were left stunned as Ollie Watkins registered a first-half hat-trick and John McGinn, Ross Barkley and Jack Grealish, with a brace, also got on the scoresheet for Villa.

The hosts, who led 4-1 at half-time, did not look back after going 1-0 up through Watkins in the fourth minute as they punished an error by Reds goalkeeper Adrian.

As they brought Liverpool’s 100 per cent start to the Premier League season to a shuddering halt, Villa extended their own – they have opened a league campaign with three successive wins for the first time since 1962-63.

Villa boss Dean Smith, whose side are now second in the table, said when asked where the remarkable result ranked in his career: “It has to be right at the top.

“To go and get a performance like that against an exceptional team takes something special. It was a special performance.

“I am extremely proud. They executed a gameplan to perfection but it was not just that, it was workrate and ethic. We played exceptionally well and I am proud of everyone.”