Darwin Nunez
In the calm of the AXA Training Centre, away from the usual roar of Anfield and the eyes of the public, Liverpool quietly delivered a performance that could reverberate loudly in the weeks to come. The Reds cruised to a 5–0 victory over Stoke City in a behind-closed-doors friendly on Sunday, with Darwin Núñez stealing the show with a first-half hat-trick.
The Uruguayan’s ruthless finishing, Federico Chiesa’s composed late strike, and a promising goal from youngster Rio Ngumoha highlighted Liverpool’s growing sharpness as Arne Slot’s men prepare for their preseason tour of Asia. With Slot still shaping his tactical vision and squad hierarchy, this match offered a glimpse into a new Liverpool — one that looks determined, balanced, and explosive.
Here’s a full breakdown of the encounter, the performances that stood out, and what it all means for Liverpool’s evolving 2025-26 campaign.
Darwin Núñez: The Statement Performance Liverpool Needed
There are few players in world football more polarizing than Darwin Núñez. Blessed with explosive pace, physicality, and a natural striker’s instinct, he has nonetheless struggled for consistency and composure in front of goal since arriving from Benfica. But against Stoke City, Núñez reminded everyone — teammates, coaches, and fans — of what he is capable of when everything clicks.
In just 14 minutes, Núñez had completed his hat-trick:
- 6th Minute: A broken attack ended with a half-cleared through ball from Florian Wirtz. Quickest to react, Núñez pounced on the loose ball and buried it instinctively — a poacher’s goal.
- 12th Minute: A classic team goal, initiated on the right. Szoboszlai surged down the flank and cut in a low cross. Núñez timed his run perfectly and tapped home. Clinical.
- 20th Minute: Curtis Jones found space in midfield and whipped in a teasing ball. Núñez, ever alert, slipped between two defenders and nudged it past the keeper with confidence.
It was a performance that mixed natural instinct with positional intelligence — a sign that Núñez might finally be synchronizing with Arne Slot’s demands.
With murmurs of Liverpool eyeing other forwards — including Hugo Ekitike — Núñez’s hat-trick couldn’t have come at a better time. Slot values versatility and pressing, and Núñez delivered both in spades, constantly harrying Stoke defenders and setting the tempo from the front.
Rio Ngumoha: The Starlet Who Keeps Shining
At just 17 years old, Rio Ngumoha has rapidly become a name to watch at Kirkby. His goal in the first half was not only a reward for his bravery in attack but a reflection of his high footballing IQ.
Picking up the ball inside the area, Ngumoha calmly cut inside his marker and unleashed a shot that took a deflection before looping over the goalkeeper. While fortune played a part, the confidence to take on the defender and shoot early is something Liverpool’s senior attackers often lack in tight spaces.
Ngumoha offers an exciting blend of unpredictability, flair, and end product. If nurtured correctly, he could become the next academy graduate to break into the senior side — following in the footsteps of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Curtis Jones.
Federico Chiesa: A Quiet Assassin Finds His Rhythm
Chiesa
Chiesa’s Liverpool career has only just begun, and fans have been eager to see how the Italian forward will adapt to English football. Against Stoke, he offered glimpses of the talent that made him a standout at Juventus and for Italy.
After a lively second-half performance where he tested the keeper multiple times, Chiesa finally got his goal in the 88th minute. Found unmarked at the far post by Jeremie Frimpong, Chiesa had the presence of mind to square the ball to Cody Gakpo, who returned the favor for an easy tap-in.
The move was symbolic of what Chiesa brings: intelligence, selflessness, and execution under pressure. He played across multiple forward positions during the match and showed clear understanding with Gakpo, Frimpong, and Tsimikas — a good sign for things to come.
Dominik Szoboszlai and Curtis Jones: Midfield Metronomes
Slot’s 4-2-3-1 system hinges heavily on the midfield’s ability to press, create, and carry the ball. In the first half, Szoboszlai and Curtis Jones were the heartbeat of Liverpool’s attacking rhythm.
Szoboszlai’s assist for Núñez’s second was the product of his direct play. He hugged the touchline, drove into space, and delivered a perfect low cross. His ability to switch tempo and dictate flow makes him an ideal fit under Slot, who demands midfielders with vertical energy.
Jones, on the other hand, continues to mature tactically. His assist for Núñez’s third showcased his passing range and vision, and he was nearly on the scoresheet himself after meeting an Andy Robertson cross, only to be denied by Stoke’s Johansson.
This match showed the duo can form the creative engine in both central and advanced roles — with Jones even capable of filling in as an inverted fullback in Slot’s hybrid systems.
The Second-Half Shuffle: Depth and Experimentation
Liverpool fielded a completely new outfield lineup in the second half — a common preseason practice, but one that also revealed the squad’s depth and tactical flexibility.
Here’s what stood out:
- Ben Doak: Sharp, energetic, and unlucky not to score. After pouncing on a rebound from a Chiesa shot, Doak saw his effort cannon off the post. Nevertheless, his direct running and fearlessness offered plenty of promise.
- Wataru Endo: Played with composure in the middle, breaking up counterattacks and showing good distribution. His header from a Gakpo corner just missed the mark.
- Jeremie Frimpong: A constant menace on the right. His assist for Chiesa came after a bursting run down the flank and showed the kind of overlapping threat Liverpool missed last season when Trent was injured.
- Luca Stephenson: Came on for Doak and nearly scored from a Frimpong cut-back. The academy prospect didn’t look out of place and could be on the verge of more U21 and first-team training time.
- Armin Pecsi: Made a key save from Tatsuki Seko’s header and looked confident between the posts. The young Hungarian could be Alisson’s long-term understudy.
Florian Wirtz & Nyoni: Early Chemistry Brewing
In the first half, Florian Wirtz and Nyoni operated in slightly fluid roles — switching between advanced midfield and wide positions. Wirtz, in particular, was instrumental in the opening goal sequence. Though his through ball to Szoboszlai was only half-cleared, it showed his vision and spatial awareness.
Nyoni was industrious, pressing with intensity and always offering width. Though not directly involved in the goals, his presence created space for others — particularly for Ngumoha and Núñez.
The inclusion of these young and new players indicates Slot’s willingness to integrate emerging talent while experimenting with structure.
Tactical Observations: Slot’s Liverpool Taking Shape
While preseason matches are notoriously poor indicators of regular-season form, this match provided several insights into Arne Slot’s evolving blueprint:
1. High Press & Triggers
Slot’s pressing principles were clear. Liverpool pressed in packs, particularly when Stoke tried to build from the back. Núñez, Wirtz, and Szoboszlai formed the first wave, while Jones and Robertson stepped in to prevent progression.
2. Dual 10s and Overlaps
Slot appears to be experimenting with dual attacking midfielders who drift into central pockets while overlapping fullbacks provide width. Robertson and Frimpong both advanced aggressively, while Gakpo and Chiesa tucked inside to create overloads.
3. Rotational Fluidity
Chiesa, Doak, and Gakpo often rotated positions — a hallmark of Slot’s Feyenoord sides. This fluidity creates confusion for defenders and allows Liverpool to control the half-spaces.
Squad Takeaways: Winners, Questions, and Next Steps
✅ Biggest Winners:
- Darwin Núñez: Silenced doubters, if only briefly, with a devastating 20-minute masterclass.
- Ngumoha & Doak: Continued to stake a claim for first-team minutes.
- Chiesa: Beginning to form chemistry with key teammates.
- Frimpong: Made a strong case to be the starting right-back.
❓ Questions Remain:
- What’s Slot’s preferred midfield three?
- Will Núñez’s form translate into consistency?
- How will the forward hierarchy be managed with so many options?
As Liverpool gear up for their trip to Asia, Slot must start trimming the tactical experiments into cohesive units. The Stoke game has given him plenty to think about — mostly positive.
Final Score: Liverpool 5–0 Stoke City
Scorers:
- Núñez (6’, 12’, 20’)
- Ngumoha (24’)
- Chiesa (88’)
Looking Ahead: The Bigger Picture
With two wins in two behind closed doors, Liverpool head into their Asia tour with confidence. While these games are unofficial and offer limited opposition intensity, they provide building blocks for a new regime under Arne Slot.
Darwin Núñez’s hat-trick doesn’t guarantee a 30-goal season, but it does signal intent. More importantly, it reflects a growing cohesion in a squad that — despite significant changes — still contains the DNA of one of Europe’s fiercest teams.
As preseason ramps up, competition for places will intensify. And with the Premier League looming large, performances like these might decide who starts — and who watches from the bench.
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YNWA (You’ll Never Walk Alone)!
The Liverpool FC Times Team
LiverpoolFCTimes.com