- The match was dominated by Darwin Núñez, who scored an early hat-trick that set the tone for the Reds' commanding performance.
- With this convincing victory, Liverpool now turns its attention to their upcoming tour in Asia, where it will face AC Milan in Hong Kong on July 26 and Yokohama F. Marinos in Japan on July 30.
Liverpool made a strong statement in their pre-season preparations on Sunday, July 20, 2025 decisively defeating Stoke City 5–0 in a closed-door friendly at the AXA Training Centre.
The match was dominated by Darwin Núñez, who scored an early hat-trick that set the tone for the Reds' commanding performance.
The Uruguayan striker appeared energised and eager right from the start, netting three goals within the first 20 minutes. Núñez opened the scoring by connecting with an accurate pass from new acquisition Florian Wirtz.
Shortly after, he increased his tally after a well-worked move involving Dominik Szoboszlai, and he completed his hat-trick with an assist from Curtis Jones. His sharp finishing gave reason for optimism following a mixed previous season.
Liverpool added to their score before half-time, with 16-year-old academy talent Rio Ngumoha scoring a goal that deflected into the net. It was a significant moment for the young player, showcasing Liverpool's strong youth program.
Wirtz, playing his first unofficial match for the club, stood out with his calmness and vision in midfield, highlighting the justification for his record transfer fee.
Following the break, manager Arne Slot made numerous changes, giving playing time to Ibrahima Konaté, Jeremie Frimpong, Cody Gakpo, and Kostas Tsimikas. The fifth and final goal came late in the match when Frimpong raced down the right flank and passed to Federico Chiesa, who finished neatly.
In addition to the goals, Slot's tactical strategies were noticeable. Szoboszlai was positioned in an unusual right-back role, providing attacking width and testing Liverpool's adaptability in build-up play. This tactic was effective, as Liverpool maintained control of possession and created scoring opportunities with ease.
With this convincing victory, Liverpool now turns its attention to their upcoming tour in Asia, where it will face AC Milan in Hong Kong on July 26 and Yokohama F. Marinos in Japan on July 30. These matches promise to be greater challenges and present valuable chances for Slot to refine his strategies and evaluate the squad's depth.
For Liverpool fans, this dominant display was more than just a friendly match. It provided glimpses of an invigorated attacking line, promising newcomers, and youth players stepping up, causing a sense of optimism as the new season nears.
