Ngumoha Steals the Spotlight as Liverpool Roll Past Athletic Club

A youthful and rotated Liverpool FC side delivered an impressive 4-1 victory over Athletic Club at Anfield, with 16-year-old Rio Ngumoha earning a standing ovation after a goal and an assist in a breakout performance.

Fast Start from the Reds

Despite a brief delay caused by a Main Stand evacuation, the game kicked off on time — and within two minutes, Ngumoha opened the scoring. After Alexis Mac Allister won the ball in midfield, Ngumoha drove forward with confidence and fired low into the bottom corner to give Liverpool the perfect start.

Moments later, the teenager turned creator, setting up Darwin Núñez for a simple tap-in after some slick build-up involving Harvey Elliott and Ben Doak.

The Kop serenaded “Rio” as Anfield embraced the latest academy talent making his mark.

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Jota Tribute and First-Half Dominance

A touching minute’s applause in the 20th minute honoured the late Diogo Jota and André Silva, as fans and players united to pay tribute.

In defence, makeshift centre-back Trey Nyoni impressed with composure, while Luca Stephenson shone again at right-back. Doak’s persistence paid off before half-time, as he forced an own goal or possibly claimed it himself to make it 3-0 before the break.

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Second-Half Rotation Brings More Goals

Freddie Woodman made way for Armin Pecsi in goal at half-time, while other substitutions followed throughout the half, including Wellity Lucky, Jayden Danns, and Tommy Pilling.

Elliott added Liverpool’s fourth just before the hour mark, slotting home after Núñez showed great awareness to find him in space. It was a clinical finish to cap a well-worked move.

Athletic Club grabbed a consolation goal in the 76th minute through Gorka Guruzeta, after a rare defensive lapse by Stephenson.

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Final Moments and Looking Ahead

Lewis Koumas, Michael Laffey, and Trent Kone-Doherty also featured, giving fans a glimpse of Liverpool’s future stars. The final whistle marked a convincing win and a valuable run-out for Arne Slot’s squad ahead of the evening’s second pre-season fixture.

With several academy players stepping up and Ngumoha the clear standout, Liverpool’s preparations for the 2025/26 Premier League campaign are gathering momentum.

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Liverpool Starting XI

First Half:
Woodman (GK), Stephenson, Nyoni, Robertson, Tsimikas, Jones, Mac Allister, Elliott, Ngumoha, Núñez, Doak

Second Half Subs:

• Pecsi (46′)
• Lucky (56′)
• Danns (56′)
• Pilling (67′)
• Kone-Doherty (67′)
• Koumas (80′)
• Laffey (84′)