Rio Ngumoha and Ben Doak shine as Arne Slot's side cruise to victory at Anfield.
2025 Club Friendlies
4-1
Match Report
Liverpool's teenage sensation Rio Ngumoha impressed again as Liverpool beat Athletic Club 4-1 in the first of two back-to-back friendlies at Anfield.
The 16-year-old was rightfully rewarded for his stunning solo goal against Yokohama Marinos in the previous fixture and added to his summer tally within just two minutes, curling his effort into the bottom right corner after driving at the defence.
Liverpool doubled their lead three minutes later and Ngumoha was at the heart of it again.
The winger latched onto Ben Doak's cross into the box before teeing up Darwin Nunez, who started the game amid transfer links to AC Milan, and was given a warm reception from the home crowd after sweeping the ball into the back of the net.
Doak played a hand in the second and stepped up his threat in the final third just before the break.
The 19-year-old, situated on the opposite flank to Ngumoha, saw a stunning long-range effort denied by Alex Padilla, who was left red-faced moments later after bundling Doak's cross into the back of his own net from a tight angle.
A mistimed clearance from Luca Stephenson did gift Gorka Guruzeta the opportunity to guide his own header in from close range but the effort proved to just be a consolation goal during the 4-1 defeat on Merseyside.
The friendly marked the first fixture at Anfield since the tragic passing of Diogo Jota and his brother, Andre Silva, with the duo honoured in the 20th minute as all four corners of the stadium rose to sing his name.
Match Events
0' The match is about to start!
2' GOAL! Ngumoha curls the ball into the far corner! Liverpool 1-0 Athletic Club
7' GOAL! Nunez sweeps the ball in from close range! Liverpool 2-0 Athletic Club
14' Gorosabel is brought down by Ngumoha
18' Gorosabel smacks the rebound against the top of the crossbar
18' Yellow Card! Alejandro Rego is booked for his bad tackling
20' Anfield rises in the 20th minute of the game, paying tribute to Jota snd Andre
34' A sliding intervention from Nyoni cuts out Berenguer's square pass
42' GOAL! Ben Doak drives a low shot at goalLiverpool 3-0 Athletic Club
42' Doak smacks a half-cleared corner back towards goal but it is saved
52' Pecsi races from his line to thwart Guruzeta in a one-on-one with sprawling stop
58' GOAL! Elliott slams a shot into the net! Liverpool 4-0 Athletic Club
75' GOAL! Guruzeta pulls one back for the visitors! Liverpool 4-1 Athletic Club
84' Athletic Club's goal is ruled offside
Line-ups
Liverpool XI: Robertson, Freddie Woodman, Tsimikas, Mac Allister, Nunez, Curtis Jones, Elliott, Luca Stephenson, Ben Doak, Trey Nyoni, Rio Ngumoha
Subs: Tommy Pilling, Wellity Lucky, Trent Kone-Doherty, Ármin Pécsi, Lewis Koumas, Jayden Danns, Michael Laffey
Athletic Club XI: Lekue, Gorosabel, Vesga, Berenguer, Gorka Guruzeta, Beñat Prados, Nico Serrano, Álex Padilla, Alejandro Rego, Unai Gómez, juan suescun
Subs: Robert Navarro, Unai Vencedor, Adu Ares, Johaneko Louis-Jean, Urko Izeta, Aimar Duñabeitia, Peio Canales, Mikel Santos