Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo were on target as Liverpool beat Athletic Club 3-2 in the second of two preseason friendlies at Anfield on Monday.
After a number of Liverpool’s fringe players had played out a 4-1 victory over the Spanish club earlier in the afternoon, head coach Arne Slot named a completely changed side for the late kick-off.
The hosts started well, with both Gakpo and Florian Wirtz going close before new signing Hugo Ekitike teed up Salah to score the opener inside 14 minutes.
While Liverpool dominated, Athletic Club equalised in the first half through Oihan Sancet, who was there to capitalise after Slot’s side failed to deal with a free-kick into the penalty area. However, Liverpool restored their lead after the break when Gakpo was on hand to tap home after Unai Simón had parried a long-range shot from Ryan Gravenberch.
Athletic Club found themselves level again when Gakpo inadvertently diverted a corner into his own net. The Netherlands international quickly atoned for his error, scoring the winner after his powerful shot squirmed under Simon’s gloves 20 minutes from time, while Salah blazed a late penalty over the bar.
In the first game of the double-header, 16-year-old Rio Ngumoha opened the scoring with a stunning solo effort to continue his impressive preseason form. The teenager then swiftly turned provider, heading the ball down for Darwin Núñez to sweep in from close range inside five minutes.
Goals from Ben Doak and Harvey Elliott made sure of the victory for the Premier League champions before Athletic Club reduced the deficit through a header from Gorka Guruzeta in the second half.
It was the first time Liverpool had played at Anfield since the passing of striker Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva, with former Liverpool captain Phil Thompson and Athletic Club president Jon Uriarte laying wreaths in front of the Kop in tribute.
Jota’s song could also be heard ringing out from the stands throughout the evening and there was a period of applause in the 20th minute of both games in acknowledgment of Jota’s shirt number, which Liverpool confirmed they would be retiring last month.
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Captain Virgil van Dijk missed out through illness while defenders Conor Bradley and Joe Gomez were absent due to injuries. Goalkeeper Alisson Becker also wasn’t involved, having left Liverpool’s preseason tour of the Far East last week due to a personal matter.
Liverpool will travel to Wembley on Sunday to take on FA Cup winners Crystal Palace in the FA Community Shield before starting their Premier League campaign at home to Bournemouth on Aug. 14.
