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Introduction
Liverpool wrapped up their pre-season tour of Asia in confident fashion with a 3-1 win over Yokohama F. Marinos at the Nissan Stadium in Japan. Florian Wirtz opened his scoring account for the Reds, while new signing Hugo Ekitike made his first appearance and teenage talents Trey Nyoni and Rio Ngumoha added late goals in front of over 67,000 fans.
Here’s how it all unfolded on a night that mixed sharp attacking football with promising individual performances.
A Fast Start Without the Finish
From the opening whistle, it was clear Liverpool meant business. They controlled possession, passed with confidence and pressed Yokohama into mistakes. But finishing proved elusive during the first 45 minutes.
Cody Gakpo almost opened the scoring with a curling shot that clipped the post after a quick build-up sparked by Conor Bradley’s energetic run. Florian Wirtz, eager to make his mark, also went close with a deflected effort from just outside the box.
Mohamed Salah, pulling the strings as usual, showed his class throughout. His first-time lobbed pass to Gakpo was sublime, but the Dutchman couldn’t get his shot away cleanly under pressure. Salah again created a golden chance with a clipped ball to Dominik Szoboszlai, who attempted to round the keeper but ran out of space.
Hugo Ekitike, handed his debut up front, showed some bright touches. His best moment came when he produced an inventive flick that forced a good save from Il-Gyu Park. It was a lively showing, though his involvement ended at half-time as planned.
While Liverpool threatened, Yokohama nearly snatched the lead before the break. A quick counter saw Jun Amano head towards the bottom corner, but Giorgi Mamardashvili was alert and made a sharp diving stop to keep things level.
Ekitike Off, Nunez On, and Yokohama Strike First
As the second half began, Darwin Nunez replaced Ekitike and immediately got on the end of another brilliant Salah pass. Unfortunately, the Uruguayan fluffed his lines with a mishit volley from close range.
Minutes later, Liverpool were punished for that miss. Ren Kato picked out Asahi Uenaka with a pinpoint through ball, and the forward finished with composure past Mamardashvili to give the home side a surprise 1-0 lead. But Liverpool didn’t panic. Instead, they stepped it up.
Wirtz Makes His Mark in Style
Japan captain Wataru Endo received a hero’s welcome from the home crowd when he came off the bench, and the atmosphere lifted once again when Liverpool equalised shortly after.
It all started with Curtis Jones, who intercepted a pass near the halfway line and drove forward with intent. He fed Salah, and the Egyptian played a perfectly weighted return pass into the path of Wirtz. The German playmaker made no mistake, calmly slotting his shot into the corner to level the score.
It was a classy finish and a moment Wirtz will remember for a long time. After a promising pre-season, he looks ready to make a real impact this season.
Young Guns Seal the Win
With the score level, Arne Slot made nine changes, leaving only Mamardashvili on the pitch from the starting eleven. In came the next wave of talent, and they didn’t disappoint.
Jeremie Frimpong, another summer arrival, showed great awareness with a looping cross to the back post, where Trey Nyoni met it with an acrobatic finish to put Liverpool ahead.
The Reds weren’t done. Rio Ngumoha, just 17 years old, capped off the night with a smart solo run and low finish to make it 3-1. The teenager looked fearless, running directly at defenders before picking his spot calmly. It was the kind of goal that gets fans excited about the future.
Standouts, Surprises and Encouragements
While Salah was once again at the heart of much of Liverpool’s attacking play, the real headlines belonged to the new faces and rising stars.
Florian Wirtz looked sharp throughout. His passing was crisp, his movement intelligent, and his finish for the equaliser showed the kind of composure usually seen from seasoned pros.
Hugo Ekitike didn’t score, but his short cameo showed glimpses of the skill and creativity that made Liverpool push for his signing. He’ll need more time to settle in, but the early signs are encouraging.
Trey Nyoni and Rio Ngumoha both made their mark on the scoresheet and added much-needed energy late in the match. It was especially encouraging to see two teenagers deliver in a senior setting.
Mamardashvili, meanwhile, might quietly be one of the most important pieces of the summer. With Alisson Becker absent for personal reasons, the Georgian keeper stepped up with some key saves that helped Liverpool avoid any unwanted slip-ups.
Arne Slot’s Pre-Season Closes With Positives
This final match wraps up Liverpool’s pre-season tour, and it ends on a high. Across the Asia tour, fans have seen a new tactical shape take form, younger players step up, and fresh signings begin to blend in.
Slot’s decision to rotate heavily in the second half showed a clear commitment to building squad depth and testing different combinations. That will be vital as Liverpool return to a demanding domestic and European schedule.
More than anything, this performance showed resilience. Falling behind early in the second half could have unsettled the group. Instead, they responded with control and style, scoring three without reply.
What Comes Next?
Liverpool now return to England with just over a week to prepare for the Community Shield and the opening Premier League fixtures. Arne Slot will need to fine-tune his strongest eleven, work on match sharpness, and make final decisions about which youngsters will remain with the first team and who may go on loan.
The competition for places is heating up, especially in midfield and the forward line. Wirtz and Mac Allister will be in direct contention, while players like Gravenberch, Szoboszlai and Curtis Jones will push hard for starting spots. Meanwhile, Salah continues to look as influential as ever.
Conclusion
Beating Yokohama 3-1 might not grab headlines in itself, but the details inside the match say a lot more. Wirtz getting off the mark, Ekitike taking his first steps, and youngsters like Nyoni and Ngumoha delivering in front of a huge crowd these are the signs of a club evolving.
Liverpool may have been Premier League champions last season, but there’s still hunger in this squad. With new names blending in and young players pushing the envelope, the future looks bright under Arne Slot.
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YNWA (You’ll Never Walk Alone)!
The Liverpool FC Times Team
LiverpoolFCTimes.com