1. Introduction

Liverpool recently hosted Athletic Club (Athletic Bilbao) in a spectacular double-header of pre‑season friendlies at Anfield. Held as their final preparation before the competitive season, the fixtures carried emotional weight, tactical intrigue, and glimpses into manager Arne Slot’s evolving vision for the squad.

Match 1 (5 pm BST): Liverpool 4‑1 Athletic.
Match 2 (8 pm BST): Liverpool 3‑2 Athletic.

These were the first games at home since the tragic passing of Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva. Both clubs paid tribute in the 20th minute of each match, with floral wreaths, chants, and a moment of silence before kickoff. Liverpool also announced the retirement of Jota’s jersey, and former captain Phil Thompson joined Athletic’s president at the tribute ceremony.

2. Match 1: Liverpool 4-1 Athletic—Dominance from the Kick‑off

2.1 Opening Salvo: Ngumoha’s Debut Brilliance

Just two minutes into the first fixture, 16‑year‑old Rio Ngumoha curled in a superb solo effort from 20 yards—his second pre‑season goal and first at Anfield. He then turned creator three minutes later, drifting wide and heading the ball into Darwin Núñez, who tapped home the second goal inside five minutes . The rapid double blow set the tone for a dominant first half.

2.2 Safe Hands Turn into a Blunder

Athletic’s goalkeeper Alex Padilla inadvertently turned the tide by bundling a cross into his own net just before halftime, making it 3‑0 at the break.

2.3 Elliott Adds the Fourth

In the 58th minute, Harvey Elliott added gloss to the scoreline with a composed finish following a slick Liverpool move. Athletic’s consolation came via Gorka Guruzeta, heading in from a defensive lapse in the 76th minute.

2.4 Tactical Rotation and Youth Exposure

Slot fielded a heavily rotated lineup driven by youth. The XI included Woodman; Stephenson, Tsimikas, Robertson, Nyoni; Mac Allister, Jones, Elliott; Nunez, Doak, Ngumoha. Ben Doak lauded Ngumoha as “ridiculous” post‑match, signalling high hopes for Liverpool’s next generation .

2.5 Insights and Impact

The match spotlighted Liverpool’s emerging talent pipeline—especially standout teenage performances.
Athletic, by contrast, struggled with defensive errors and were overwhelmed by Liverpool’s early intensity.
The emotional context added significance, blending celebration with somber remembrance.

3. Match 2: Liverpool 3-2 Athletic—Intensity, Drama, and Nerves Tested

3.1 Lineups and Significance

For the evening fixture, Slot named a much stronger lineup—flirting with first-team quality but still giving youth minutes. Key inclusions included Florian Wirtz, Milos Kerkez, Jeremie Frimpong, Hugo Ekitike, and Cody Gakpo, stepping in for absentees like van Dijk and Alisson due to injury or personal matters.

3.2 Opening Goal: Salah from Ekitike’s Assist

Ekitike, making his Anfield debut, set up Mohamed Salah in the 14th minute. The move showcased Liverpool’s fluid buildup under Slot.

3.3 Athletic's Set‑piece Response

Athletic drew level when Oihan Sancet headed in from a corner—a reminder of their effectiveness in aerial duels. However, Sancet had to leave the field later under injury concerns.

3.4 Gakpo’s Double and an Own Goal Twist

Cody Gakpo struck twice: once from a rebound evading goalkeeper Unai Simón and a second after redirecting a corner into his own net inadvertently—from Athletic's perspective. This swing made it 3‑1 in Liverpool’s favour.

3.5 Salah's Missed Penalty

Salah was trusted with a spot kick around the 80th minute but skyed it into the stands—a rare and human moment under pressure.

3.6 Final Pressure and Resolution

Athletic pushed for an equalizer late on, forcing Georgian keeper Mamardashvili into some fine saves, but Liverpool held firm to close the contest 3‑2.

3.7 Emerging Themes

The second game offered a more balanced test, with Athletic showing glimpses of organization and menace.
Injuries (Sancet and Yuri) raised concerns in Bilbao’s camp—concerning with only one more pre‑season match before competitive fixtures begin.
Tactical rotations, pressing from the front, and the continued emergence of new signings provided positive lessons ahead of the season.

4. Star Players and Rising Prospects

4.1 Rio Ngumoha – Teen Sensation

Ngumoha’s sensational performance in the first match—a goal and assist at just 16 years old—has elevated his status. Liverpool fans and pundits have hailed him as a player to watch. His maturity and composure in the attacking third belie his age.

4.2 Ben Doak – Composed in Age and Performance

Doak provided the third goal in game one via a deflected cross. His composure and intelligent movement complement Liverpool’s youth-driven energy.

4.3 Cody Gakpo – Clinical Finisher

In the second match, Gakpo netted a brace, including one that hit Athletic’s net inadvertently. His finishing under pressure highlighted his importance in Liverpool’s forward line this season.

4.4 Hugo Ekitike and Florian Wirtz – New Creative Forces

Ekitike delivered his first assist for the club with a precise cross for Salah. Meanwhile, Wirtz made his debut in midfield, drawing early praise from Slot for offsetting Trent Alexander‑Arnold’s creative void at Liverpool—from right-back origin to a central playmaker role under the new system.

5. Tactical Insights Under Arne Slot

5.1 Youth Rotation and Depth Testing

Slot’s deployment of youth across both matches underlines Liverpool’s intention to build beyond core stars, giving competitive minutes to younger players in low-risk environments.

5.2 Pressing and High Tempo

Both games showcased Liverpool’s hard pressing, swift transitions, and direct attacking intent—key tenets of Slot’s coaching philosophy. Athletic were repeatedly pushed back, struggling to build through midfield nonlinearly.

5.3 Set-pieces and Defensive Fragility

Athletic found success—or near misses—via set-plays. Liverpool conceded twice this way across both fixtures, highlighting an area Slot flagged as needing work before competitive play begins.

5.4 Formation Fluidity

The second game featured experimental shapes: Szoboszlai at right-back, multi-positional shifts involving Kerkez and Konaté, and pressing from center midfield. The interface of Wirtz, Szoboszlai, Gravenberch and Mac Allister suggested midfield flexibility and rotation ahead.

6. Athletic Club: Competitive Glimpses, Concerns, and Context

6.1 Athletic’s Pre-season Woes Deepen

The double defeats increase pressure on Athletic, who have already dropped consecutive friendlies in pre-season—the latest being a loss to Racing Santander before arriving in Liverpool.

6.2 Injury Crisis

Injuries to Sancet and Yuri, added to existing absences like Yeray and Egiluz, are stretching Athletic’s defensive resources. Manager Ernesto Valverde will need to manage squad depth carefully ahead of competitive fixtures.

6.3 Athletic Club’s Strengths on View

Despite losses, Athletic showed tactical discipline, set-piece proficiency, and work rate. Sancet’s goal and pressured midfield performance underscore their identity as a compact and physical team capable of punishing mistakes.

6.4 Club Heritage and Aspirations

Athletic—nicknamed Los Lehoiak/Lions—have a storied history: eight La Liga titles, 24 Copa del Rey wins, and a recent Copa triumph in 2024 ended a 40‑year drought. They qualified for the Champions League for the first time since 2013‑14 after finishing fourth in La Liga last season.

7. Emotional Underpinning: Honour, Support, and Solidarity

Both fixtures were deeply emotional for Liverpool’s fans and players. The pre-match tributes to Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva took place in the 20th minute—symbolic moments that paused the matches and united supporters. Jota’s jersey was retired and the club marked the matches in memory-building ceremonies.

The return to home football after such a tragedy mixed grief with resolve: slots were filled by new signings, youth prospects, and heartfelt emotional memory.

8. What It Signals Ahead: The Road to the Season

8.1 Momentum into Competitive Fixtures

These wins build confidence among key and fringe players alike. Liverpool face Crystal Palace in the Community Shield (Aug 10) and Bournemouth in the Premier League opener (Aug 15). The performances at Anfield suggest readiness to blend youth and newly assembled first-team core.

8.2 Tactics and Squad Planning

Slot will refine pressing patterns, address defensive set-piece vulnerabilities, and integrate new signings like Wirtz, Kerkez, Frimpong, and Ekitike more seamlessly.

8.3 Competition for Places and Depth Tests

Healthy performances from youth (Ngumoha, Doak, Nyoni), alongside versatility from core signings, mean internal competition will intensify ahead of the campaign proper.

8.4 Athletic Club’s Season Build-up

For Athletic, preseason losses must be used constructively. Injuries need managing, tactical cohesion must improve, and Valencia or Arsenal fixtures warm-ups may offer further tests. The La Liga campaign and Champions League are looming.

9. Head-to-Head Context & Historical Perspective

Although these were friendlies, Liverpool vs Athletic is not a deeply familiar rivalry. Their head-to-head historically includes four matches: Liverpool have won two, drawn once, and never lost. Their last previous meeting ended 1‑1 at Anfield in August 2021.

A competitive tie from the 1983 European Cup saw Liverpool beat Athletic 1‑0 away via Ian Rush—though football eras were markedly different.

10. Conclusion: Beyond Friendlies, the Bigger Picture

The Liverpool vs Athletic Club double-header served as more than just friendly fixtures:

A tactical laboratory for Arne Slot’s evolving system and squad rotation.
A showcase of emerging talent, especially teenage wunderkind Rio Ngumoha and Ben Doak.
A platform for new signings like Wirtz and Ekitike to start their Liverpool journey in style.
A moment of emotional remembrance and solidarity following Jota’s tragic passing.
A contest of two distinct paths: Liverpool’s Premier League title defense blending youth and ambition, and Athletic’s mission to solidify their Champions League return under Valverde amidst injuries and testing form.

As the season opens, these performances offer insight into Liverpool’s identity under Slot: energetic, possession-based, youth-infused, tactically flexible—and eager to defend their crown. Athletic return to Bilbao bruised but aware of areas to repair before La Liga and continental competition begin.

These friendlies may not count in official statistics, but their outcomes, contexts, and players involved carry lasting resonance—not just for pre‑season momentum, but for the cultural and emotional journey ahead.

Key Takeaways

Two wins for Liverpool: 4‑1 and 3‑2.
Standout performers: Ngumoha (goal + assist), Gakpo (brace), Ekitike (assist), Wirtz, Doak.
Emotional tribute to Diogo Jota and his brother honored with commemorations.
Tactical evolution on display: pressing intensity, midfield creativity, rotational depth.
Athletic Club setbacks: defensive lapses, injuries to key players, morale question marks ahead of season.
Long-term relevance: Pre-season as a microcosm of season vision, squad readiness, emotional unity.

LIVERPOOL V/S ATHLETIC CLUB (ATHLETIC BILBAO)