Liverpool continued their preparations for the new season with back-to-back wins in their double-header against Athletic Club.
Head coach Arne Slot was able to give the majority of his first-team squad valuable minutes across the two Anfield games as the players continue to build their fitness.
In the first friendly, which consisted of a mixture of youth and experience, Liverpool raced into an early lead with goals from 16-year-old Rio Ngumoha and Darwin Nunez. Ben Doak added a third before half-time and Harvey Elliott scored the fourth after 58 minutes. Gorka Guruzeta netted a consolation late on for the away side as the game finished 4-1.
Slot selected a much stronger starting XI for the second game, with Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, Milos Kerkez, Jeremie Frimpong and Giorgi Mamardashvili all making their first Anfield appearance. A Mohamed Salah strike and a double from Cody Gakpo earned a 3-2 victory in a game in which Liverpool were twice pegged back, first by an Oihan Sancet effort and then via a Gakpo own goal (both from set pieces). Salah missed a late penalty, shooting wildly over the bar.
Monday was also the first opportunity for supporters to pay tribute to Diogo Jota at a game at Anfield. Before the kick-off of the first match, Liverpool legend Phil Thompson and Athletic Club president Jon Uriarte laid wreaths in front of the Kop. Jota’s name was sung throughout and each match was paused in the 20th minute for fans and players to applaud in Jota’s memory. Gakpo marked his first goal with Jota’s trademark baby shark celebration.
Game 1: Ngumoha making himself hard for Slot to ignore
Ngumoha experienced playing at Anfield in January when he was a surprise selection in the FA Cup third round against Accrington Stanley. On that day, he impressed with his confidence and quick feet.
Expectations have risen dramatically after an excellent pre-season during which his electric displays have impressed, and as the 16-year-old returned to Anfield there were more eyes — and more pressure — on him.
The England youth international did not disappoint.
After two minutes, he picked up possession just inside the Athletic half and, as he did five days ago against Yokohama F·Marinos in Tokyo, drove forward with purpose and intent. As he reached the edge of the penalty area, he calmly curled a shot past the helpless Alex Padilla. It was not quite a carbon copy of his goal against the Japanese side as he did not need to dribble past a man, but the quality and calmness was just as good.
He also added another assist to his pre-season goal contributions (three goals and two assists) as he cushioned a header from a Doak cross into the path of Nunez to make it 2-0 three minutes later.
As he continued to get fans off their seats every time the ball came to him with his first touch, direct running and trickery, supporters began to chant ‘Rio, Rio’ – something likely to be heard at Anfield for many years to come if his trajectory continues in the current direction.
Given his age, Liverpool know they need to handle him with care, but it was another indication that head coach Arne Slot might struggle to ignore him when the season begins properly. He looks ready for senior football.
Andy Jones
Game 1: Nunez and Elliott show their worth
While there has been so much talk about Liverpool’s incomings this summer, there are several players who were involved in the first friendly that could leave the club before the end of the month.
The front four included Nunez, Elliott and Doak, who have all been linked with an exit this summer.
It was a chance for all of them to show their quality — and provide a potential shop-window opportunity as Liverpool look to recoup some money to offset their significant outlay, which looks set to continue.
They all did just that by getting on the scoresheet.
Nunez tapped home from close range after five minutes, a goal which might be his final one at Anfield, with Saudi side Al Hilal and Serie A’s Milan registering their interest in recent days.
The 26-year-old has been sharp in pre-season and again he looked bright with some threatening runs and tidy link-up play. However, with Ekitike through the door and Newcastle’s Alexander Isak still of interest, the Uruguayan’s future looks set to be away from Anfield.
Doak also scored after powering a shot past Padilla from a tight angle towards the end of the first half. It was the 19-year-old at his best as he used his acceleration and quick feet to create space for the shooting opportunity – a reward he deserved after an energetic display. Liverpool rejected bids for him last January, wanting £25million ($33m), and they are waiting to see if a side meets their valuation.
The Scottish international linked well with Elliott down the right — another whose future is uncertain following the addition of Wirtz. The midfielder was his usual busy self and it was another reminder that circumstance rather than ability is why a move away is possible. He scored the fourth when Nunez laid off a pass in the penalty area just before the hour mark.
It remains to be seen how many, or indeed whether any, remain at Anfield beyond the summer window.
Andy Jones
Game 2: Wirtz looks certain to be a fans’ favourite
With every flick, trick and darting run, Wirtz gave those inside Anfield a little glimpse into the future.
The gem of German football danced around the middle of the park and even when two early chances went begging, he doubled down on his work rate to make sure he made a good first impression.
For all his quality, his most telling moments arguably came out of possession. Wirtz found pockets of space between the lines that caused havoc and opened up room for his team-mates. The way he chased down the Athletic backline in an attempt to win possession back quickly also set the tone for his side and showed he has got more to offer than just his creative output.
Yet it is the way he races at goal with the ball and weaves his way between defenders that really grabs attention. He looks certain to become a fans’ favourite.
His low socks and somewhat fiery attitude only add to the effect. He is an entertainer. Silky in possession, resolute out of it and a nuisance for opponents. Anfield is his new playground.
Gregg Evans
Game 2: Where exactly would Isak fit into this attack?
There were times when Salah, Cody Gakpo, Ekitike, Frimpong, Wirtz and Dominik Szoboszlai looked so in sync and free-flowing that you wondered where Alexander Isak would fit in.
If Liverpool do go back in with another bid for the Newcastle United striker, and are indeed able to get their man, fitting him at the expense of one of the above may become a puzzle of its own.
Is there a way, for example, for Isak to play with Ekitike and what does that mean for Gakpo (who looked sharp), Salah (who always scores) and Wirtz (who already plays like he has been in the side for years)?
There is no doubt Isak would bring additional class to the striking department and with him, Liverpool would appear to be in great shape (if they can also get another centre-back in) to defend their title.
But based on the performances of the attacking players over the course of this double header, all would not be lost if the pursuit was unsuccessful.
Gregg Evans
How worrying is the centre-back situation?
A centre-back partnership of Andrew Robertson and 18-year-old central midfielder Trey Nyoni starting a pre-season friendly one week before the Community Shield is far from ideal. Neither is Ibrahima Konate lining up alongside midfielder Wataru Endo.
It is the position Liverpool find themselves in at centre-back, with two of their three senior central defenders unavailable for the friendlies against Athletic. Joe Gomez remains out with an Achilles issue and captain Virgil van Dijk was absent through illness.
It has been a talking point throughout pre-season and this served as a reminder of how quickly Liverpool’s options in that position can disappear and leave them short. The sale of Jarell Quansah to Bayer Leverkusen for an initial £30m was good business, but he is yet to be replaced.
The last time Liverpool entered a season with three senior centre-backs (2020-21), they did so as league champions. All three (Van Dijk, Gomez and Joel Matip) suffered long-term injuries during the campaign and they ended up finishing 17 points off the top. They cannot risk that happening again.
Endo and Ryan Gravenberch both deputised in that role last season and are options, but Liverpool should have the depth to avoid either being called into action unless the squad is hit by a serious injury crisis. With the signing of Kerkez, it may free up Robertson to move inside too on occasion. Both he and Kostas Tsimikas have played that role in pre-season but it is not a natural role for either.
Both goals Liverpool conceded were from set pieces, illustrating how important having two dominant centre-backs can be.
Slot’s squad was stretched due to the two games, but regardless, he only had one senior centre-back available. Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi is one player Liverpool retain an interest in, but whether it is him or somebody else, it remains a priority position to address before the end of the month.
Andy Jones
(Top photo: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
