Ngumoha Dazzles as Liverpool Demolish Athletic Club 4-1 in Stunning Display

Liverpool dominated Athletic Club in the opening match of a friendly doubleheader, with academy prospects stealing the spotlight in a commanding 4–1 triumph.

Young talent Rio Ngumoha electrified the Anfield faithful early on with a spectacular long-range effort to break the deadlock. The sequence started when Alexis Mac Allister recovered possession at midfield, allowing Ngumoha to collect the ball and advance to the penalty area's edge before bending a shot beyond Álex Padilla.

The goalscorer quickly became the creator when Ngumoah delivered a header into a threatening position that Darwin Núñez coolly converted past the Athletic Club keeper. An impressive debut for the 16-year-old seeking to establish himself with the reigning Premier League titleholders this campaign.

Play was halted in the 20th minute as the entire stadium observed a moment of silence for Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva, who died on July 3. This marked the second commemoration for the former Liverpool star following a moving performance of You'll Never Walk Alone before the match began.

Athletic Club tested a makeshift Liverpool backline at moments during counter-attacks, but the hosts found the net again. Teenager Ben Doak skillfully created space for a right-footed attempt that overcame a feeble effort from Padilla. The strike was credited as an own goal against Padilla.

Ármin Pécsi took over from Freddie Woodman at the interval in goal, making a crucial stop early on to prevent the visitors from finding a way back into the contest. Another fluid Liverpool attack produced a fourth goal in the 58th minute with Harvey Elliott applying the finishing touch.

The Liverpool defense committed a careless mistake in the 76th minute when Luca Stephenson attempted to clear a delivery but mishit it completely, allowing Gorka Guruzeta to pounce on the loose ball and nod an effort past Pécsi.

Both teams will meet again later today for a second exhibition match.

Sports Illustrated's Liverpool player assessments from the encounter below.

Liverpool Player Assessments vs. Athletic Club (4-3-3)

GK: Freddie Woodman—6/10—Woodman performed reliably between the posts, though he faced minimal challenges in the opening period. He was replaced at halftime for the second half.

LB: Kostas Tsimikas—6/10—Tsimikas delivered a competent display at left-back, a crucial showing for a defender likely ranked second or third following the summer acquisition of Milos Kerkez.

CB: Andrew Robertson—6/10—Robertson operated in an unfamiliar role as a left-sided center-back alongside Tsimikas. There were minor injury concerns, but the Scottish international played the entire match.

CB: Trey Nyoni—6/10—The youthful defender performed admirably to thwart Athletic Club's counter-attacking opportunity in the first period.

RB: Luca Stephenson—5/10—Stephenson bore responsibility for Athletic Club's lone goal in the first of the twin fixtures.

CM: Curtis Jones—6/10—Jones managed box-to-box responsibilities alongside Mac Allister, playing more minutes than any other starting midfielder.

CM: Alexis Mac Allister—7/10—Mac Allister controlled the midfield battle and sparked the early opener. The Argentine remains integral to Slot's system.

CM: Harvey Elliott—7/10—Elliott began on the right side of the midfield trio. More effective in attack, Elliott completed Liverpool's scoring in the second half with a curved finish.

LW: Rio Ngumoha—8/10—An outstanding display from Ngumoha with two goal involvements in the match's opening five minutes. He departed to thunderous applause from the crowd.

ST: Darwin Núñez—7/10—The Uruguayan's Anfield future may face questions, but he'll be pleased to find the scoresheet at home. He also set up Elliott's fourth goal.

RW: Ben Doak—6/10—Doak contributed the third goal before halftime after earlier testing Padilla's reflexes with a distance shot. A respectable performance from the young winger.

Player of the Match: Rio Ngumoha