BUENOS AIRES, Jan. 27 (Xinhua) -- Copa Libertadores champions River Plate continued their poor start to 2019 by losing 3-1 at home to Patronato in the Superliga Argentina on Sunday.

Paraguayan striker Gabriel Avalos netted a hat-trick while Cristian Ferreira was on target for the hosts at the Monumental Stadium.

River have lost each of their three top-flight matches since returning from Argentine football's summer recess on January 19. Marcelo Gallardo's men are now 12th in the 26-team standings after 14 matches, 20 points behind leaders Racing Club.

River won the 2018 Copa Libertadores - South America's equivalent of Europe's Champions League - by completing a 5-3 aggregate victory over Buenos Aires rivals Boca Juniors in the final last month.

In other Superliga Argentina matches on Sunday, Independiente were held to a 1-1 home draw by Talleres Cordoba and Union drew 0-0 at Belgrano.