What Lindop
Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo found the net as Liverpool triumphed over Athletic Club with a score of 3-2 in their second preseason matchup at Anfield on Monday.
Following an earlier 4-1 victory over a Spanish team by some of Liverpool’s secondary players, manager Arne Slot fielded a completely altered side in the second half.
The home team clicked into gear early, with Gakpo and Florian Wirtz making strides forward, leading to Salah scoring the opening goal just 14 minutes in.
However, the Athletic Club leveled the score later in the first half, capitalizing on Liverpool’s failure to defend a free kick, with Oyhan Sunset finding the back of the net. Liverpool reclaimed the lead shortly after halftime when Unai Simón parried a long shot from Ryan Gravenberch, allowing Gakpo to tap in the rebound.
The Athletic Club found parity once again when Gakpo inadvertently redirected a corner into his own goal. The Dutch international quickly made amends, scoring the decisive goal with a powerful shot that slipped beneath Simón’s gloves.
In the earlier match, 16-year-old Rio Nugumoha recorded a stunning solo goal before assisting Darwin Núñez shortly afterward, who scored from close range.
Goals from Ben Doak and Harvey Elliott cemented the Premier League champions’ victory in the second match, although the Athletic Club managed to score a consolation goal through Gorka Gruzeta.
This match marked Liverpool’s first home game at Anfield since the loss of striker Diogo Jota and his brother, Andre Silva.
Throughout the evening, Jota’s song resonated from the stands, and applause filled the venue in tribute to Jota’s jersey number during the 20 minutes of both matches. Liverpool confirmed his signing last month.
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“In both matches, we created numerous chances and scored seven goals—four in one game and three in another. I believe we scored more goals than in the first half, particularly in the second match. It’s gratifying to create opportunities and achieve seven goals over two games,” remarked Slot.
Captain Virgil Van Dijk missed the match due to illness, while defenders Connor Bradley and Joe Gomez were sidelined with injuries. Goalkeeper Alisson Becker also missed the preseason tour last week for personal reasons.
Liverpool will head to Wembley on Sunday to face FA Cup champions Crystal Palace at the FA Community Shield before commencing their Premier League season against Bournemouth on August 14.
When asked about his thoughts on Liverpool’s restructured attack for the season, Slot replied, “Absolutely, but we lost two quality players in Diogo (Jota) and Luis Diaz. However, we have brought in Hugo (Ekitike) and another player who will undoubtedly be a valuable asset for us.”
“Preseason games have shown us opportunities but today was different. The second match, especially with two set-piece goals against us, is concerning, especially with Crystal Palace on Sunday, a team strong in set pieces. We need to focus on this in the weeks ahead.”
Fan Take: This match showcased Liverpool’s evolving offense, suggesting the potential for exciting dynamics in the upcoming season. Fans should keep an eye on young talents like Nugumoha, as their development could impact Liverpool’s competitive edge in both domestic and European leagues.
