(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
Emotional Return to Anfield: Liverpool Secure Back-to-Back Wins Over Athletic Bilbao in Preseason Doubleheader
Liverpool FC marked a memorable return to Anfield with two back-to-back friendly victories over Spanish side Athletic Bilbao, winning 4-1 and 3-2 on a summer night filled with goals, tributes, and promising talent.
These were the first matches played at Anfield since the tragic passing of Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva in a car accident earlier this summer. In an emotional gesture, both games paused in the 20th minute as fans sang their names in heartfelt tribute.
🟥 Match 1: Young Reds Shine Bright in 4-1 Victory
Liverpool opened the evening with a commanding 4-1 win against Bilbao, featuring a lineup filled with rising stars and guided by Darwin Núñez.
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⚽ Rio Ngumoha and Darwin Núñez gave Liverpool a 2-0 lead within just 5 minutes.
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⚽ Ben Doak added a third before halftime.
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⚽ Harvey Elliott sealed the fourth in the second half.
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⚽ Bilbao’s Gorka Guruzeta netted a late consolation goal.
💬 Speaking after the match, Ben Doak praised Ngumoha on LFCTV:
“That guy is ridiculous. So sharp and so talented. He’s going to have some career!”
Starting XI (Match 1): Woodman; Stephenson, Tsimikas, Robertson, Nyoni; Mac Allister, Jones, Elliott; Núñez, Doak, Ngumoha.
🟥 Match 2: New Signings Impress in Narrow 3-2 Win
In the second friendly, manager Arne Slot fielded a stronger lineup featuring new summer signings including Hugo Ekitike, Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong, and Milos Kerkez.
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⚽ Mohamed Salah scored early from an assist by Ekitike — his first for Liverpool since arriving in a reported £80 million transfer.
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⚽ Oihan Sancet leveled the match for Bilbao.
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⚽ Cody Gakpo scored twice and unfortunately added an own goal, creating a dramatic 3-2 win.
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❌ Salah missed a late penalty, denying Liverpool a wider margin.
The second match once again saw Liverpool fans pay tribute to Diogo Jota in the 20th minute, reinforcing the emotional tone of the evening.
Starting XI (Match 2): Mamardashvili; Frimpong, Endo, Konate, Kerkez; Szoboszlai, Gravenberch, Wirtz; Salah, Gakpo, Ekitike.
🔮 What’s Next for the Reds?
With a blend of youthful brilliance and exciting new signings, Liverpool appear poised for an action-packed season under Arne Slot. The strong showing in both matches demonstrates the team’s depth and determination ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.
Stay tuned for more Liverpool updates, transfer news, and matchday reports — all right here!
