Wirtz opens Liverpool account as Reds rally to beat Yokohama in Japan friendly
French forward Hugo Ekitike made his debut for Liverpool, one week after joining from Eintracht Frankfurt for a reported £69 million (RM389 million).
Wirtz equalised after Yokohama opened the scoring early in the second half, the German slamming home a right-foot shot from inside the box in front of over 65,000 fans.
'I am really happy that I could score my first goal. I hope there are more to come,' said Wirtz, who joined Liverpool from Bayer Leverkusen in a blockbuster deal.
Trey Nyoni and Rio Ngumoha also scored for Liverpool, who announced the sale of Colombian forward Luis Diaz to Bayern Munich on Wednesday.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot said he was happy to see his team come from behind to win but was not pleased with their missed chances.
'It could be with a tough training camp and it could be with the heat circumstances,' said the Dutchman.
'But that's something that we definitely have to improve.'
Goalkeeper Alisson Becker missed the match after travelling home to Brazil 'for private reasons', Liverpool said.
Shortly before kickoff, an emotional tribute was given to Diogo Jota, who passed away this month in a car crash.
Liverpool dominated throughout but Yokohama opened the scoring when Asahi Uenaka pounced in the 55th minute to beat Giorgi Mamardashvili.
Wirtz levelled when he latched onto a Mohamed Salah pass.
Nyoni volleyed home a Jeremie Frimpong cross to put Liverpool in front, before Ngumoha dribbled from the halfway line and fired in a shot from the edge of the box. — AFP

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

Malay Mail
3 minutes ago
- Malay Mail
Anwar warns against hooliganism in football, says sports must unite Malaysians not divide
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 7 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has stressed that there is no room for hooliganism or violence in sports, particularly football, as such behaviour goes against the spirit of sportsmanship. He said sports should serve as a unifying force among Malaysians of all backgrounds and must not be tainted by unruly or divisive conduct. 'Everyone supports their team or their state or their province, but that does not allow them to create chaos and tolerate hooliganism. So we'll make a difference. Don't import that culture of hooliganism in sports as you read and see and watch on television from the experience of other countries,' he said in a speech during the groundbreaking ceremony of Olympic House here, today. Also present was Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh. Anwar said while passion in sports was natural, it should not be used to justify behaviour that contradicted the values of sportsmanship. 'People cry when they win and they cry when they lose. You know, which means you cannot deny the passion. But it does not warrant them to take actions which run contrary to the spirit of sportsmanship,' he said. He added that greater tolerance was needed, as 'intolerance runs contrary to the very spirit of sports — which is about bringing people together, embracing differences, and sharing a deep passion.' Anwar also highlighted the unique role of sportsmanship in uniting Malaysians across racial lines, noting that such values were often absent in politics. 'There's no language in politics for sportsmanship. Politics is where you kill one another — I mean, not literally, hopefully. But only in sports, not in culture, not in the arts, not in economic rivalry. 'But in sports, there is this term called sportsmanship, which essentially means you must work hard, try to excel and win — but also accept that the best man, woman, or team will win. And that is the spirit of sportsmanship,' he said. Reflecting on Malaysia's past, which was at times marked by racial antagonism, Anwar recalled how sports like football and badminton served as powerful unifying forces during those difficult periods. 'It doesn't matter whether he's Malay, Chinese, Dayak or Indian — we consider them all Malaysian. And that's what I feel we need to promote. But of course, we also need to excel. 'So everybody's waiting — under Hannah and now with Norza (Olympic Council of Malaysia President Tan Sri Mohamad Norza Zakaria) — where we expect at least one gold medal from the Olympics. Otherwise, they'll be in trouble,' he said jokingly. Sharing a personal anecdote, Anwar said he often advised his grandchildren, who sometimes got upset after losing in games like chess or football. 'I said, I told them that's not the spirit. The spirit of course, is to win, but the sportsmanship, the term sportsmanship is such a value-laden term. You do try your best, you try and excel, but you accept it (loss) in a sportsman's fashion,' he added. — Bernama


Malay Mail
32 minutes ago
- Malay Mail
Humansa Powers Chubb UTS Hong Kong 2025 with Humansa
Strategic Partnership with HKCTA Set to Elevate Tennis Development and Promote Health and Longevity in Hong Kong From left to right: Mr. Michael Cheng, President of the HKCTA, Don So, CEO of Humansa, Chinese star Mr. Zhang Zhizhen HONG KONG SAR- Media OutReach Newswire - 7 August 2025 - Humansa, Asia's premier health and longevity centre, is proud to be the Presenting Sponsor of Chubb UTS Hong Kong 2025 with Humansa, marking a significant milestone in its strategic partnership with the Hong Kong, China Tennis Association (HKCTA). The collaboration highlights Humansa's dedication to advancing tennis as a scientifically validated approach to longevity while introducing innovative health solutions that benefit athletes and the core of Humansa's support for tennis lies our mission to extend healthspan and lifespan through evidence-based innovation. Tennis has been scientifically proven to be one of the most effective activities for longevity, with research indicating that participating in regular exercise such as tennis can potentially add up to 10 years to a person's remarkable benefit stems from tennis's unique combination of aerobic and anaerobic exercise that enhances cardiovascular health and muscle strength, its high-intensity interval elements that improve metabolic function, and its inherent social engagement that reduces stress and supports cognitive championing tennis in Hong Kong, Humansa reinforces its commitment to promoting scientifically validated longevity strategies, establishing the sport as a fundamental component of our wellness is collaborating with HKCTA in positioning Hong Kong as Asia's premier tennis destination. This comprehensive partnership extends beyond tournament sponsorship to include youth development programs that nurture junior talent, elite athlete support systems focusing on performance optimization and injury prevention, and community engagement initiatives that promote tennis as a lifelong health activity. The alliance represents a shared vision to elevate both the sport and the health benefits it delivers to Hong Kong's acclaimed, innovative, tennis event the Ultimate Tennis Showdown (UTS) will be making its grand Asian debut in Hong Kong on 14-15 October 2025. Founded by Coach Patrick Mouratoglou (@patrickmouratoglou), this fun, fast, furious and ferocious format will bring a new experience to Hong Kong tennis fans. Its all-star line-up, which includes Australia's top-ranked player and current World No. 8, 2024 UTS Grand Final London champion Alex de Minaur (@alexdeminaur); along with current world No. 11 player and 2024 UTS Oslo champion Andrey Rublev (@andreyrublev); Chinese star Zhang Zhizhen (@zizi_zhang96) ; and tennis fans' favourite, the Australian Nick Kyrgios (@k1ngkyrg1os). Hailing from the Czech Republic, 19-year-old Jakub Mensik (@ ranked No. 18, a next generation tennis star who made his UTS debut at this year's UTS Guadalajara before defeating Novak Djokovic in the Miami Masters 1000 final to claim the championship. Meanwhile, Latin America's top ranked Francisco Cerundolo (@francerundolo) also makes his UTS debut. Two more mystery player will be announced soon, stayed tuned!Humansa will provide UTS competitors with exclusive access to premium recovery and performance services during the tournament, including on-site physiotherapy and stretch therapy from our expert team. Players will also enjoy full access to Humansa Victoria Dockside for personalized pre- and post-event recovery programs. Valued Humansa members can join us for an exclusive VIP experiences which includes courtside seating, players interaction, behind the scene access, special wellness experiences at the Humansa Experience Zone, unique souvenirs, and much more!The partnership will see the introduction of Humansa's innovative Racket Sports Longevity Series, a tailored collection of services designed to enhance athletic performance and promote longevity. This groundbreaking series incorporates advanced AI-driven injury prevention technology, specialized recovery protocols for elite athletes, nutrition plans optimized for longevity, and comprehensive biomarker tracking to maintain peak performance involvement in Chubb UTS Hong Kong 2025 forms part of a sustained commitment to tennis development and its associated health benefits. Looking ahead, the company plans to collaborate with additional regional and international HKCTA events, establish youth development camps incorporating Humansa's wellness resources, and conduct joint research with HKCTA into athlete health, performance and longevity. Through these initiatives, Humansa reaffirms its dedication to helping individuals live healthier, longer lives by leveraging tennis as a powerful vehicle for & #Humansa The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. About Humansa Humansa, Asia's first and leading one-stop health and longevity center, is transforming health and wellness with cutting-edge science, AI-driven insights, and personalized care. Founded in 2020 and based in Hong Kong, we operate over 40 centers, serving 80,000+ clients annually, empowering them to enjoy lives for as long as possible. Humansa's flagship store, located at Victoria Dockside, prioritizes prevention, health optimization, and education. By streamlining fragmented services, we empower individuals to proactively enhance their healthspan, delay aging, and achieve fulfilling lifestyles in a supportive, luxurious environment. We provide world-class health solutions, including women's health management, energy and vitality management, brain health, weight management, and children's development programs tailored to meet individual needs. About Hong Kong, China Tennis Association (HKCTA) The HKCTA is a National Sport Association formed in 1909 with 40 affiliated clubs, over 4,000 individual members and recognised by both the Asian Tennis Federation (ATF) and the International Tennis Federation (ITF). HKCTA's objectives are to promote tennis to all, to nurture talented players to compete at a regional and international level, and to raise the standard of the game in Hong Kong. To meet its objectives, HKCTA organises a number of local and international tennis tournaments as well as grassroots, junior and elite development programs, inter-club leagues, coaching certification courses and a Tennis-For-All open enrollment programme. For more information, please visit About UTS The growing popularity of the innovative and fast-paced format has seen the UTS Tour increase its worldwide reach in 2025. The UTS Tour made its debut this year in Latin America in February with UTS Guadalajara. The hugely successful Bastide Medical UTS Nîmes was played in front of sell-out crowds in the iconic Arénes des Nîmes Roman ampitheatre. Since its creation, UTS has attracted many of the world's best players, including Top 10 stars Holger Rune, Taylor Fritz, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Lorenzo Musetti, Casper Ruud, Frances Tiafoe and Nick Kyrgios, all attracted to the fun, fast, furious and ferocious format. The 2025 UTS Grand Final will return to London once again. This will be the third year in a row that London has hosted the UTS season finale.


The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
Alexander Isak trains alone amid Newcastle Liverpool transfer rumours
ALEXANDER Isak has been instructed to train alone as his future at Newcastle United remains uncertain. The Swedish striker was absent from the squad's pre-season tours to Singapore and South Korea. He cited a minor thigh injury and instead trained in Spain with former club Real Sociedad. Upon returning to Newcastle, Sky Sports reported he trained separately from the main group. Manager Eddie Howe emphasised that players must 'earn the right' to train with the squad. Liverpool's £110m bid for Isak has been rejected, with Newcastle holding out for closer to £150m. The Magpies are struggling to secure a replacement, with RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko a key target. Manchester United are also competing for Sesko after Newcastle missed out on other forwards. Liverpool have spent over £250m this window but could reinvest funds from player sales. Darwin Nunez is nearing a £46m move to Al Hilal, potentially freeing up space for Isak. Since joining Newcastle in 2022, Isak has scored 62 goals in 109 appearances. His decisive goal in the League Cup final ended Newcastle's 70-year trophy drought. - AFP