Liverpool 3-1 Yokohama FM: Florian Wirtz scores as Reds come from behind to cap pre-season tour with victory

Yahoo

6 days ago

Florian Wirtz scored his first Liverpool goal as the Reds came from behind to beat Yokohama FM 2-1 to cap a pre-season tour of Asia.
After Liverpool suffered an ego-bruising 4-2 defeat to AC Milan last time out, the relegation-threatened Yokohama, who have won just five of their 24 J1 League outings this season, seemed fitting opponents as they looked to get back to winning ways.
For a brief spell in the second half, though, Liverpool were again facing defeat as they fell behind in the second half after Asahi Uenaka's opener, but quickfire goals from Wirtz and Trey Nyoni had them back in front just 13 minutes later.
The 16-year-old Rio Ngumoah then reminded Arne Slot of his quality in the closing stages as he joined them on the scoresheet, firing home from the edge of the area after a dancing run to widen the margin.
Hugo Ekitike impressed in the first half as he made his Liverpool debut, failing to score from a handful of chances but linking up well with his attacking teammates, Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo.
Liverpool started brighter in the match, but conceded a pair of chances to Yokohama early on. Those warning shots kicked the Reds into gear, and they grew more direct in their attacking, Cody Gakpo rattling the far post with a curling effort after ten minutes.
Salah was in top gear on the right flank, creating countless chances with his inch-perfect passing. He set Cody Gakpo and Dominik Szoboszlai through on goal in the first half, but both struggled for control on the rough Nissan Stadium surface and the opportunities went begging.
Ekitike was denied a debut goal shortly after as he hit an audacious backheel flick at goal from close range, but goalkeeper Park Il-gyu got down quickly to deny him.
The Marinos were clearly familiar with Liverpool's weakness in transition, and their high-pressing style did create a pair of good chances, with Dean David's header forcing a save from Mamardashvili late in the half, but the affair remained goalless at the break.
Darwin Nunez, playing for his place at the club, replaced Ekitike at half-time, and produced an awkward miss minutes into his cameo, firing wide from the edge of the six-yard box after Salah teed him up with yet another smart ball over the top.
His wastefulness was immediately punished. A revitalised Yokohama poured forward in numbers after heavy rotation, and Ren Kato played an incisive through ball to Asahi Uenaka, who finished low across goal to put the hosts ahead.
Their advantage was short-lived, though, as Curtis Jones won possession high to trigger a lightning counter-attack. After Salah's shot was deflected, Wirtz arrived to fire home and equalise with his first Liverpool goal.
Nyoni was there to complete the turnaround mere minutes after, as he was at full stretch to put Jeremie Frimpong's cross away with his first senior Liverpool goal.
Ngumoah, at his dazzling best through a 27-minute cameo, added a third to secure the win for the Reds, ploughing through the centre of the pitch before lashing his effort into the bottom corner.
Slot's men end the tour on a high note after suffering a worrying wobble against Milan, and will return to action at Anfield next week, hosting Athletic Club in a double-header.