Arne Slot greeted the performances of Hugo Ekitike and younger Rio Ngumoha during the friendliness of Liverpool for Athletic Bilbao.
The Reds played two games against the Spanish club on Monday and won the first 4-1 before they followed it with a 3-2 victory.
Sixteen-year-old Ngumoha played in the first of their double header and scored a stunning solo goal before Darwin Nunez in the first five minutes an assist for Darwin Nunez.
Harvey Elliott completed the score for Liverpool after Alex Padilla’s own goal, while Gorka Guruzeta scored a late consolation for the LaLiga side.
Slot played a stronger start of 11 in the second game and handed home debut to Ekitike, Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez and Giorgi Mhamardashvili.
Ekitike made an early impact when he helped Mohamed Salah’s opener after 11 minutes, but Oihan Sancet made it right for the visitors.
Cody Gakpo had an eventful second half and scored twice before the Reds on both sides his own goal of the Dutchman, while Salah leaves a penalty skied.
Slot was satisfied with what he saw in the two matches of Liverpool, while now focusing his attention on their community -Shield -Showdown with Crystal Palace next weekend.
Ekitice is wrong pic.twitter.com/BT0W8CDI4O
– Liverpool FC (@LFC) August 4, 2025
“We have made many opportunities in both games. We have scored seven goals and that is very pleasant to see,” he told LFCTV.
“I liked that the most, the opportunity to create opportunities. We have added Hugo, who will be a good player for us. Rio shows good things in every game in the preseason.
‘[Conceding] Two set-piece goals is not what you want, especially if you come across Crystal Palace next week. It is something to work on. “
Ekitike, who played 57 minutes on his Anfield debut, added: “I enjoyed it a lot. It was such a good atmosphere. I feel proud and I just want to play so many games in this stadium because it is great.
“I still try to find connections with the other players. It’s a pleasure to play with them. We have small things to repair, but I really enjoy playing with them.
“I am sure we will do good things this season. It was important to play with confidence, but the real season starts on Sunday. We look forward to it. We are going to give 100%. I am here to win.”
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