• Wed, Aug 2025

Liverpool vs Athletic Club: Rio Ngumoha stars, Hugo Ekitike assists as Arne Slot's Reds win pre-season friendly double-header

Liverpool vs Athletic Club: Rio Ngumoha stars, Hugo Ekitike assists as Arne Slot's Reds win pre-season friendly double-header

Liverpool secured two wins against Athletic Club in a double header of friendlies at Anfield; Rio Nguhoma scored a goal and registered an assist in the first fixture; Hugo Ekitike teed up Mohamed Salah in the second; Cody Gakpo and Harvey Elliott also scored

Teenage star Rio Nguhoma continued to impress and Hugo Ekitike registered his first assist as Liverpool secured 4-1 and 3-2 wins in back-to-back friendlies against Athletic Club at Anfield.

The two games marked the first fixtures at home since the tragic passing of Diogo Jota and his brother, Andre Silva, with the duo honoured in the 20th minute of both games as play was paused and supporters rose to sing his name.

 

Nguhoma kickstarted the evening with his second goal of pre-season when he curled home the opener in the second minute, before then teeing up Darwin Nunez to double the lead three minutes later.

His teammate Ben Doak, another youngster impressing in the first team, rightfully described the 16-year-old as "ridiculous" during his post-match interview, having also played a major role in the win after seeing goalkeeper Alex Padilla bundle his cross into the net before half-time

Dakota Dare

Alice could not help thinking there MUST be more to be otherwise than what it meant till now.' 'If.