Liverpool registered consecutive victories over Athletic Club on Liverpool vs Athletic Club Match in a pre‑season double‑header at Anfield winning 4‑1 and 3‑2. Standout performances from Rio Ngumoha, Cody Gakpo and Harvey Elliott helped set the tone ahead of the new Premier League season.
✅ Liverpool vs Athletic Club Context
- Fixture setting: Liverpool hosted Athletic Club in two 90‑minute friendly matches back to back at Anfield during their final pre‑season build up on August 4, 2025 .
- Tribute to Diogo Jota: Before kick off both clubs paid emotional homage to Jota and his brother André Silva tragically lost in a car accident in July. The 20th minute of both games was observed in his memory and Liverpool announced the permanent retirement of his jersey number 20.
- Dual squads: The first match featured rotated lineups and the second match used closer to first team starters from both sides.
📈 Match Recaps
Match One: Liverpool 4‑1 Athletic Club
- Early goals: Rio Ngumoha struck in the 2nd minute and provided the assist for Darwin Núñez in the 5th minute.
- Additional goals: Own goal by Alex Padilla (Athletic defender) before half time. Harvey Elliott sealed the match in the 58th minute.
- Performance: Liverpool dominated possession and Athletic offered minimal resistance.
- Emotions: A moving tribute to Jota preceded the match.
Match Two: Liverpool 3‑2 Athletic Club
- Line‑ups: Featured Hugo Ekitike, Frimpong, Wirtz and Kerkez stronger first team mix.
- Scoring timeline:
- Mohamed Salah opened scoring (~14’) assisted by Ekitike.
- Athletic equalized via Oihan Sancet from a set piece.
- Cody Gakpo scored twice: once from rebound then again after an Athletic own goal on a corner.
- Flaws: Salah missed a questionable penalty and Athletic’s two goals conceded from set plays raised defensive concerns.
- Results: Liverpool edged it 3‑2 despite Athletic’s spirited performance.
🌟 Star Performers
- Rio Ngumoha (16): Two goals and an assist across both games emerging as a youthful spark ahead of kickoff season.
- Cody Gakpo: Scored a double in the second match capitalised well on set pieces and rebounds.
- Harvey Elliott: Beautifully finished in game one regular midfield contributor in Liverpool’s evolving system.
- Hugo Ekitike: Strong debut influence with key assist to Salah implications for future rotations.
📌 Tactical & Managerial Insights
- Arne Slot’s rotation: Used the double header to test depth: youth and squad options got minutes tactical patterns assessed across both matches.
- Set‑piece scrutiny: Liverpool conceded both Athletic goals from set plays defense without Van Dijk and Alisson appeared vulnerable.
- Midfield evolution: Promising interplay between Wirtz, Szoboszlai and Elliot showcased rotational potency.
Cody at the double 🎯 pic.twitter.com/1kAdKOEqDp
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) August 4, 2025
🧾 Implications Ahead of Season
- Pre‑season tone: Two wins and attacking fluency send a strong message heading into the Community Shield vs Crystal Palace (Aug 10) and Premier League opener vs Bournemouth (Aug 15).
- Squad health & form: No major injuries reported consistent selections giving clarity to season plan.
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