Five things learnt from Yokohama F. Marinos vs Liverpool pre-season friendly

Nazira Yusuf
Liverpool squad celebrate after beating Yokohama F. Marinos
Credit: @LFC on X

Liverpool signed off their pre-season tour of Asia with a 3-1 victory over Yokohama F. Marinos in Japan, a result that offered plenty of positives but also underlined a few areas that still need work before the new campaign begins.

Arne Slot’s side had to come from behind after Asahi Uenaka fired the hosts ahead early in the second half, a moment that exposed a defensive unit still searching for fluency once again. Yet, in attack, Liverpool’s young talents stepped up to turn the game around.

Blockbuster signing Florian Wirtz, impressive throughout the tour, levelled the score with a composed finish before 18-year-old Trey Nyoni converted Jeremie Frimpong’s cross to put the Reds 2-1 in front. However, the final word belonged to 16-year-old Rio Ngumoha, whose late strike sealed the win and showcased exactly why so much excitement surrounds the young forward.

The win capped a tour that has offered glimpses of a bright future while reminding Slot of the challenges still ahead.

Rio Ngumoha shines

All the talk after Liverpool’s win over Yokohama was about dazzling 16-year-old Rio Ngumoha. After signing from Chelsea this time last summer, the England U17 international has been earning rave reviews from supporters as he has taken his chance with Arne Slot to a whole new level during pre-season.

The “starboy” tag is often overused, but he looks every bit the part. It’s hard to be cautious when a teenager plays with such confidence and quality. Ngumoha’s solo goal, bursting past defenders with pace and composure sealed the result and showcased just how physically and technically ready he already appears for senior football. His dribbling repeatedly tore Yokohama apart.

The reaction for his goal said it all with captain Virgil van Dijk clapping and smiling, and Mohamed Salah grinning with pride. That senior approval underlines how special he is. Performances like this could even influence Liverpool’s transfer thinking because Ngumoha is already forcing his way into the conversation of a regular in Arne Slot plans.

Florian Wirtz gets off the mark

Another encouraging moment from the win saw record-signing Florian Wirtz getting off the mark in a Liverpool shirt. The German international, who has already looked a class above throughout pre-season, capped another silky display by calmly slotting home the equaliser in a move started by Curtis Jones and involved Mohamed Salah.

Everything he did oozed composure — finding space between the lines, knitting attacks together, making it all look effortless — and he is already the centrepiece of this team alongside Mohamed Salah. The pair combine as if they have been playing together for years and playmaker is giving the Reds a new dimension in the middle of the park.

It was a glimpse of why Liverpool moved so decisively to bring him in — creativity, intelligence and an end product. Opening his account early will only boost his confidence ahead of the Premier League campaign and, on current evidence, he already looks like a player capable of transforming the Reds’ midfield.

The 22-year-old was named man of the match for his display, managing to bag himself 1,000,000 Japanese Yen (£5,000) in the process.

Hugo Ekitike’s encouraging start

Hugo Ekitike’s first appearance in a Liverpool shirt was one of the main talking points of the opening 45 minutes in Yokohama. Chances were at a premium for the France U21 striker, but there was plenty to like about his contribution before being withdrawn at half-time as planned.

Operating in a fluid front line, Ekitike worked hard off the ball, dropped deep to link play and showed flashes of quality in possession. His standout moment came with a clever back-heeled effort that almost produced a debut goal — only for it to be blocked at the last moment.

Naturally, there was some rustiness, but also encouraging signs of chemistry, particularly with Florian Wirtz and Mohamed Salah. Physically sharp and technically assured, he looked every bit a player who will grow into the Premier League.

Arne Slot is likely to give him further minutes against Athletic Bilbao next week and in the Community Shield, but this was a promising first glimpse of Liverpool’s new forward.

Darwin Nunez’s ups and downs

Darwin Núñez’s second-half appearance against Yokohama summed up the contradictions in his Liverpool career so far. Within minutes of coming on the Uruguayan striker squandered a golden chance to score — drawing visible surprise from Dominik Szoboszlai — and the miss stung even more when Yokohama took the lead shortly after.

Yet, there were also flashes of his quality — good movement, sharp link-up play and the physical presence that makes him such a handful. With four goals already in pre-season and strong reports of his attitude in training, Núñez remains a puzzle for Liverpool.

Interest from Napoli and Saudi clubs lingers, but for now he is still a Red and performances like this only deepen the debate over whether to persist or cash in.

A bright future for Trey Nyoni

Academy prodigy Trey Nyoni is coming on leaps and bounds and was the one to put Liverpool ahead in Yokohama, capping off another eye-catching outing for the 18-year-old midfielder. His goal came from a clever move down the right, with Jeremie Frimpong’s low cross met perfectly by a late-arriving Nyoni to steer home. It was a finish that spoke of composure and timing well beyond his years.

Beyond the goal, Nyoni’s ability to drift between the lines, take the ball under pressure and keep Liverpool ticking in possession stood out. After making several appearances for the first team last season, this could be the season that he truly breakthrough. The England U20 international is just as big a talent that fans should get excited about as his team-mate Rio.

In a pre-season where young talents have grabbed their chances, the teenager has looked increasingly at ease among senior players, and this well-taken strike only underlines his rapid development.

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