Liverpool kicked off their Anfield double-header in spectacular fashion on Monday, securing a dominant 4-1 victory over Spanish side Athletic Club in the first of two pre-season friendlies, with the club’s academy talents taking centre stage.
The undisputed star of the show was 16-year-old academy prospect Rio Ngumoha. The youngster set Anfield alight inside the opening minutes, first scoring a stunning strike from outside the box to open the scoring with incredible confidence.
Just moments later, the talented winger turned provider. Ngumoha headed the ball into a dangerous area for Darwin Núñez to calmly slot home Liverpool’s second goal of the evening. It was a breathtaking start from the teenager, who recorded both a goal and an assist within the first five minutes.
The match also featured a poignant moment in the 20th minute, as the entire stadium paused to pay tribute to the late Diogo Jota and his brother, honouring the former Liverpool forward in an emotional display of respect.
Liverpool’s dominance continued throughout the half. Another teenager, Ben Doak, forced the third goal, which was eventually ruled as an own goal from the Athletic Club goalkeeper. After halftime, Harvey Elliott added a fourth with a well-taken finish to complete the rout for the home side.
The only blemish for the Reds was a late consolation goal for the visitors, scored by Gorka Guruzeta after a sloppy defensive error from Liverpool’s second-half lineup.
Overall, it was a hugely impressive performance from a Liverpool side that showcased its exciting depth of young talent. Rio Ngumoha’s sensational display was the main talking point, giving fans a thrilling glimpse of a potential future superstar as the team builds towards the new season.