Liverpool are about to head to Hong Kong later today for the first leg of their preseason tour, but Arne Slot and the Reds got a final tune up before traveling. Liverpool faced Stoke City in a previously unannounced closed-door friendly at the AXA Training Center in Kirkwood earlier on Sunday.
While details are scarce about the warm up match with Stoke, journalist David Lynch provided a quick update to supporters. Lynch stated that the Reds had a commanding 4-0 lead at the half way mark, with striker
Darwin Núñez leading the way with a first half hat trick. Young phenom Rio Ngumoha, just 16 years old, also scored in the first half as he continues to announce his presence with the first team. Liverpool’s marquee signing of the summer, Florian Wirtz, also got his first run out for the club. Lynch also reported that Frederico Chiesa added an additional goal for the reds in the second half for a 5-0 win.
Liverpool are currently contesting a behind-closed-doors friendly with Stoke City at the AXA. They lead 4-0 at half-time thanks to a Darwin Nunez hat-trick and Rio Ngumoha goal. Florian Wirtz is taking part.
— David Lynch (@davidlynchlfc.co.uk) 2025-07-20T11:50:07.427Z
The strong performance from Núñez comes on the heels of news that Liverpool have agreed to a deal with Eintracht Frankfurt for striker Hugo Ekitike worth €90. Núñez has been linked with a move away from the Reds since the end of the season after he never really seemed to mesh with the desires of Arne Slot. Napoli expressed interest, but the Italian club failed to meet Liverpool’s asking price. There have also been approaches from Saudi clubs for the striker, but no concrete discussions have been had to this point.
There is a chance that Liverpool look to hold onto Núñez after the tragic loss of Diogo Jota. Núñez would likely be a secondary option to Ekitike, but a strong preseason could help force his way into Slot’s thinking. Núñez scored a goal and made a brilliant dummy to set up Cody Gakpo in the club’s first preseason match with Preston North End to add to his hat trick against Stoke City.
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