Liverpool vs Athletic Bilbao Friendly: 2 Match Wins Signal Roaring Pre‑Season Start ⚽

Pre‑Season at Anfield – Two Matches, One Dominant Message

The Liverpool vs Athletic Bilbao friendly double-header at Anfield delivered exactly what fans hoped for — a showcase of squad depth, emotion, and fresh talent.
The Reds capped their pre-season with emphatic wins: 4‑1 in the first match, followed by a tight 3‑2 thriller in the second.
These performances hinted at structure, hunger, and tactical clarity under Arne Slot, as Liverpool gear up for the upcoming title defense.

First Match – Young Star Rio Ngumoha Steals the Show

Liverpool began the evening memorably. 16-year-old Rio Ngumoha curled in a stunning solo goal — then set up Darwin Núñez minutes later for a 2‑0 lead.
New signing Harvey Elliott added a third, with Athletic’s Alex Padilla contributing an own goal.
The final score of 4‑1 underscored Liverpool’s attacking intensity and depth across their lineup.

Second Match – Gakpo Double & Ekitiké Assist Power Narrow Victory

The second fixture quickly turned into a dramatic affair. Though Athletic Bilbao struck back via Sancet, Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo scored twice, while Hugo Ekitiké set up Mohamed Salah’s opener.
Despite two more goals from Bilbao, Liverpool held firm to win 3‑2, showcasing composure under pressure and clinical finishing.

Klopp’s New Era – Talent Merging with Experience

With summer departures like Luis Díaz and absentees Van Dijk, Alisson, and Gomez, Slot rotated heavily.
Bright displays from Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez, and Ngumoha reflected a shift toward youthful energy.
Even amid rotation, recognizable names — Salah, Mac Allister — provided structure. These wins showed Liverpool is evolving without losing identity.

Emotional Tribute & Unity at Anfield

Both matches carried emotional weight — Liverpool’s first at Anfield since Diogo Jota’s tragic passing.
At the 20th minute of each game, players and fans paid tribute, and club legend Phil Thompson alongside Athletic’s president laid wreaths on the pitch.
The sense of unity and remembrance resonated long before any goals were scored.

⚽ Post-Match Reactions & Analysis

Arne Slot praised the squad’s resilience and praised Ngumoha as “a special talent showing no nerves at all”. Darwin Núñez, man of the match in the first game, spoke of excitement in training and gratitude at his assist from the youngster. Hugo Ekitiké, impressed by the welcome to Anfield, highlighted the importance of team chemistry in preseason.
Athletic’s coach admitted, “Liverpool’s energy outmatched us today — but they gave our players an invaluable lesson”.

What This Double Win Means Ahead of Title Defence

Liverpool’s standout results send a statement: they maintain attacking dominance with 8 goals in two matches, while proving their capacity to rotate without compromising quality.
With preseason finished, attention now turns to the Community Shield vs Crystal Palace and the Premier League opener.
This double-header has laid excellent groundwork for a title push.

While Liverpool dominated football headlines, cricket fans were treated to another thriller. Don’t miss our India vs England 5th Test match analysis for a complete breakdown of that showdown.

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➡️ Read Sky Sports Recap of Liverpool’s double wins over Athletic Bilbao

Conclusion

Liverpool’s performances in both fixtures were more than just friendly results — they were declarations of intent. The blend of emerging youth and seasoned leadership created a potent formula.
Fans were reminded that while squads change, the spirit of Anfield persists. As the season approaches, Liverpool look ready for challenges both domestic and European.

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