1 week ago
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ANFIELD, LIVERPOOL // Liverpool eased to a victory over the Spanish side Athletic Club with the electric Rio Ngumoha staking yet another claim for more senior minutes when the competitive fixtures start.
Within six minutes of the first game in a double-header, Liverpool had gone 2-0 up, with Ngumoha central. He scored the first brilliantly and then teed up Darwin Nunez to get a second. When Ben Doak squeezed the ball underneath Alez Padilla to make it three, the result was confirmed, and that was before the half-time whistle had blown.
Andoni Gorosabel hit the corner of post and bar for Athletic Club, but the visiting side was largely dominated. Harvey Elliott made it 4-0 early in the second half before Gorka Guruzeta pulled one back.
Winners
Curtis Jones was very sharp here, and Alexis Mac Allister came through unscathed after injury. Those were two big positives. They were a cut above the rest of those in the middle third.
It is hard to look past Ngumoha for being a stand-out, though. Amid the chase for Alexander Isak, perhaps another emerging piece of the Liverpool attack has just become clearer. Ben Doak, on the opposite flank, did his chances no harm either.
Losers
Virgil van Dijk missed the double-header through illness, and Conor Bradley has picked up a minor knock that could keep him out of next weekend's trip to Wembley for the Community Shield against Crystal Palace.
No one who played did their chances any harm of earning more minutes in the future, but those who missed out were unable to stake more of a claim. Joe Gomez and Federico Chiesa remain sidelined through injury.
Player ratings
Freddie Woodman (6). He didn't have loads of saves to make, but was more than competent. On the ball, he looked comfortable and confident. A solid enough half which he can be pleased with.
Luca Stephenson (6). There is interest from elsewhere in the youngster, who impressed on loan in Scotland last season. As he showed here with another generally solid performance, he is ready for more senior action, which he won't be guaranteed at Anfield. Made a mistake for the Athletic Club goal where he misjudged a header.
Trey Nyoni (7). Slotting in at center-back, he was very comfortable in possession, as you would expect. This isn't his best role, by any means, but it takes a mature player to move positions with such ease. He took up some great positions at times, showing his footballing intelligence. He didn't have as long in midfield, but that is where his future lies.
Andy Robertson (7). Helping Nyoni through the game, Robertson was an experienced head at the back. Strong and solid in possession, he was the captain on the day. A leader.
Kostas Tsimikas (6). Not hugely involved going forward, where the main work down that side was done by Ngumoha. Solid enough at the back, though, and made a couple of decent blocks.
Harvey Elliott (7). Neat and tidy in the center of the field, without setting the world alight. He wasn't as involved as he might have liked, though he did score from close range.
Alexis Mac Allister (7). Neat, tidy and everything that you expect from the Argentine. He hasn't been back from injury for long, but showed his class here in the middle of the pitch. He lasted 55 minutes as he continues to build match sharpness.
Curtis Jones (8). Looked really sharp. He is going to find it hard to be in the starting XI every week, but there is clearly a big role for Jones to play in the coming months. When he's on it, as he was here, he is hugely effective.
Ben Doak (8). He's always been rapid and good on the dribble, but the question has always been end product. While Alez Padilla, the Athletic Club goalkeeper, should have done better with the shot that beat him at the near post, Doak did find the back of the net. Like Ngumoha, he can be electric when he has the ball at his feet. A really positive showing.
Darwin Nunez (7). He took his goal early on very calmly and showed why, amid interest from AC Milan and Saudi Arabia, there is a real player there to be unlocked. An exit might still beckon, but he got to celebrate in front of The Kop. A willing runner.
Rio Ngumoha (8). It took seconds for him to open the scoring with a great finish, and minutes later, he notched an assist. Every time he got the ball, he got fans excited. He's electric.
Substitutes
Armin Pecsi (7). Making his first appearance at Anfield, he made a big save from a one-on-one a few minutes in. That would have done his confidence no harm, and he looked good after that, albeit without being that busy.
Wellity Lucky (6). His first senior appearance. He stumbled a couple of times a there were a few nervy moments, but he was helped through by Robertson.
Jayden Danns (6). Good to see him back playing again after a year dominated by injuries and setbacks. There is a decision to make over whether or not he heads out on loan but he is ready (or at least he will be when back to 100 per cent fitness).
Trent Kone-Doherty (6). A willing and direct runner, he got a good few touches on the ball down the right flank. There wasn't that much in the way of end product, but he showed a glimpse of what he can do.
Lewis Koumas (6). A talented player who should head out on loan again before the end of the window. The Welshman did well in the Championship last season and should have plenty of options there again now.
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