Wirtz Strikes First Liverpool Goal as Reds Cruise Past Yokohama F. Marinos 3-1: Player Ratings
Liverpool mounted a comeback to claim their third pre-season victory of the summer on Wednesday, overcoming Japanese outfit Yokohama F. Marinos 3–1 with Florian Wirtz netting his debut goal for the Reds.
Despite tsunami alerts throughout Japan, Wednesday's match proceeded as planned while Liverpool looked to bounce back from their shocking 4–2 loss to Milan in Hong Kong over the weekend. The Merseyside club started positively and nearly took the lead in the eighth minute when Cody Gakpo curled a shot against the woodwork.
However, the Premier League titleholders failed to establish meaningful rhythm in attack despite controlling possession, while also appearing susceptible to quick transitions—similar to their Milan encounter. Marinos compelled Giorgi Mamardashvili into his first intervention of the match just before halftime through Jun Amano's header as the home side gained momentum.
Liverpool battled with the pitch conditions at Nissan Stadium, but Marinos experienced no such difficulties on familiar ground. Asahi Uenaka ought to have put his team in front moments after the restart but somehow directed his header wide of Mamardashvili's target, while Dean David found the net minutes later only to see his effort ruled out for offside.
The linesman's flag couldn't rescue Liverpool in the 55th minute, though. After watching Darwin Núñez send a volley astray at the opposite end, the Reds then saw Uenaka break the deadlock as he slotted past Mamardashvili from close quarters following an exquisite delivery from Ren Kato.
Disappointment transformed into jubilation for Liverpool supporters just past the hour as Wirtz delivered a crucial equalizer. Curtis Jones orchestrated a swift counter-attack for the visitors and the English midfielder got a deflection on Salah's pass to guide the ball toward the German playmaker, who finished clinically from 10 yards.
Liverpool flipped the match completely within six second-half minutes as 18-year-old Trey Nyoni sealed the turnaround. Another summer addition proved pivotal in the goal, with Jeremie Frimpong providing a perfect cross to the back post that the young midfielder tucked into an unguarded net.
16-year-old Rio Ngumoha commanded attention in the final thirty minutes and ultimately secured a third for the Reds. Having already tested the keeper's hands, the youngster then gathered possession just inside the Marinos territory, surged 30 yards forward and struck into the far corner to crown an impressive second-half showing for Liverpool.
Liverpool Player Ratings (4-2-3-1)
GK: Giorgi Mamardashvili—6/10—Following a damaging error with Kostas Tsimikas late in the Milan defeat, Mamardashvili avoided similar lapses at Nissan Stadium. He made one excellent stop late in the opening period and bore no responsibility for the opening goal.
RB: Conor Bradley—6/10—Delivered several dynamic runs forward but couldn't demonstrate his typical precision in the attacking third. A routine display from the tireless right-back.
CB: Ibrahima Konaté—4/10—Found difficulty coping with Élber's pace in the first thirty minutes and a misplaced pass nearly proved disastrous as Marinos countered. Also unnecessarily abandoned the area where Uenaka scored the opener.
CB: Virgil van Dijk—7/10—Intercepted one dangerous Marinos cross into the penalty area as he rescued Milos Kerkez and performed admirably in a one-on-one duel with Yuri Araújo following another Liverpool turnover.
LB: Milos Kerkez—6/10—Characteristically lively along the left flank, though as noted, he surrendered possession in a hazardous area early in the half before Van Dijk's intervention.
DM: Ryan Gravenberch—6/10—A solid yet unremarkable showing from Liverpool's Dutch orchestrator in midfield. More challenging examinations await when the Premier League campaign begins in mid-August.
DM: Dominik Szoboszlai—7/10—Another excellent display in a withdrawn position, with Szoboszlai masterfully demonstrating his adaptability. Labored relentlessly in the middle and delivered some superb passes.
RW: Mohamed Salah—8/10—Executed one particularly magnificent through ball to release Gakpo in the first half, with the Egyptian proving dangerous in possession. His exceptional passing ability troubled Marinos throughout and he played a key role in Liverpool's equalizer.
AM: Florian Wirtz—6/10—Not the most polished display from the £116 million summer signing, whose trademark close control and delicate dribbling suffered due to the uneven surface. Nevertheless, he managed to find the scoresheet with his final contribution.
LW: Cody Gakpo—7/10—The clearest chances fell to the Netherlands international, who stands among the few poised to gain from Luis Díaz's Bayern Munich transfer. Struck the post early with a curling attempt and proved troublesome down the left wing, despite some wastefulness.
ST: Hugo Ekitiké—6/10—Given his Liverpool bow by Arne Slot and displayed considerable enthusiasm during a sluggish first half. Nearly scored with a clever near-post flick but remained relatively quiet in Japan.
Substitutes
SUB: Curtis Jones (46' for Gravenberch)—7/10—Won possession in the attacking half for Liverpool's leveler and subsequently set up Wirtz's strike.
SUB: Darwin Núñez (46' for Ekitiké)—5/10—Squandered a clear chance just before Marinos scored and was otherwise largely invisible.
SUB: Wataru Endo (59' for Van Dijk)—6/10—Received a touching welcome on his Japanese homecoming, even wearing the captain's armband during the second period.
SUB: Rio Ngumoha (63' for Gakpo)—8/10—Another magnificent performance from the wonderkid, who showed typical courage on the ball after his introduction. Marinos struggled to contain his pace and skill, with Ngumoha's spectacular individual goal serving as the match's standout moment.
SUB: Harvey Elliott (63' for Salah)—6/10—Operated on the right flank replacing Salah and moved infield effectively to create space for Frimpong wide.
SUB: Andy Robertson (63' for Kerkez)—6/10—Had minimal involvement as Liverpool stabilized and assumed complete dominance.
SUB: Kostas Tsimikas (63' for Konaté)—6/10—Deployed at center-back once more for the Reds and faced little pressure from Marinos' weary attackers.
SUB: Jeremie Frimpong (63' for Bradley)—7/10—Charged down the right touchline repeatedly and created Nyoni's goal with an outstanding cross.
SUB: Alexis Mac Allister (63' for Szoboszlai)—7/10—Maintained possession expertly upon his injury return, displaying his exceptional technical skills.
SUB: Trey Nyoni (63' for Wirtz)—7/10—Executed a superb run to the far post for his goal, which he converted well while stretching.
Subs not used: Ármin Pécsi (GK), Freddie Woodman (GK), Luca Stephenson, Tyler Morton.