Ben Doak shines as 3 players impress Arne Slot in game No. 1 vs. Athletic Bilbao
It was a slick attacking performance from the Reds who, despite a few defensive hiccups, were in control for long spells. Two goals, scored via Rio Ngumoha and Darwin Nunez, within five minutes got the game off to a perfect start, after the pre-match tributes to Diogo Jota.
Ben Doak grabbed a third before the break to underline the Reds' dominance, although that dropped a little after the half-time break. Harvey Elliott did get his name on the scoresheet too, before Gorka Guruzeta scored a consolation for the visitors following several changes from Arne Slot. Here's who stood out for Liverpool in game no.1 of the double header.
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Ben Doak
If Slot is still trying to decide whether Doak has a role to play this season, Monday's game will have only signified how talented the young Scot is. He was a constant menace down Liverpool's right, linking well with Harvey Elliott.
In fact, the pair combined for Nunez's opener, when Doak's cross was nodded down by Ngumoha, before Liverpool's no.9 flicked it past Alez Padilla in the away goal.
Doak, who showed a good turn of pace throughout and produced several penetrative runs in behind, grabbed the third of the game when he drove down the line and fired at goal. Admittedly, it was a moment Padilla won't want to see back as he flapped unsuccessfully at the ball.
Minutes before, the Liverpool teenager had forced the goalkeeper into a smart save at his near post; the Bilbao defence were pleased with a break at half-time.
They were also sparred another battering after the break with Doak withdrawn after 55 minutes on an enjoyable return to Anfield.
Rio Ngumoha
The summer of 2025 could well be remembered as the breakthrough period of Ngumoha's Liverpool career. He may just be 16, but it's difficult to see a way in which Slot doesn't include him in his first-team plans this season.
After wowing on tour, the ex-Chelsea youngster brought the same energy to Monday's fixture. He was energetic, showed breath-takingly quick feet, and also has an ability to provide decisive moments. He proved that within two minutes when he fired a curling shot into the net with his right foot after a dazzling Liverpool breakaway.
His flick set up Nunez's goal soon after and he bamboozled right-back Andoni Gorosabel repeatedly in the first half. That waned slightly as the game continued, although a jink inside drew an excited collective intake of breath from the Anfield crowd at the start of the second period.
Ngumoha was replaced after 67 minutes on his second Anfield senior appearance. One suspects the third isn't far away.
Curtis Jones
In a game that at times lacked intensity, Jones footwork stood out at Anfield. It's no surprise that the pace wasn't full pelt at this stage of the summer, and Liverpool enjoyed long spells of possession.
Jones' ability to move the ball forward with speed and technical control were noticeable and on several occasions he even forced Alejandro Rego Mora into a cynical foul after he cut down Liverpool's no.17. Jones also played a role in the build up to Elliott's late goal and he dropped deeper after Alexis Mac Allister made way in the second half to help Liverpool retain possession.
Any one else?
This was an impressive team performance and a few others stood. Trey Nyoni made some important interceptions at center-back and look confident in possession. Kostas Tsimikas made few errors at left-back, while Nunez looked sharp and linked well with team-mates on potentially his last Liverpool performance at Anfield.
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