Darwin Nunez scored a hat-trick as Liverpool beat Stoke City 5-0 in a behind-closed-doors friendly at Kirkby.
The Uruguayan striker, whose future at Anfield is uncertain amid interest from clubs in both Europe and Saudi Arabia, continued his impressive start to pre-season having also netted in last weekend’s 3-1 win at Preston & North End.
Nunez’s treble and a goal from teenage winger Rio Ngumoha helped Arne Slot’s side race into a 4-0 half-time lead against the Championship outfit on Sunday.
Liverpool record signing Florian Wirtz started the game, making his first appearance since completing a £116million move from Bayer Leverkusen. The Germany international operated behind a front three of Mohamed Salah, Nunez and Ngumoha.
Federico Chiesa was among the players introduced in the second half and he completed the scoring with Liverpool’s fifth goal.
Slot’s squad fly off on their pre-season of Asia on Sunday evening, their first stop is Hong Kong where they will face AC Milan next Saturday at the new 50,000-capacity Kai Tak Stadium.
Liverpool will then head for Tokyo as the club visit Japan for the first time since the 2005 Club World Championship final when Rafael Benitez’s side lost 1-0 against Sao Paolo.
Local team Yokohama F Marinos, who are bottom of the 20-team J1 League, will provide the opposition at the 72,000-capacity Nissan Stadium on July 30.
Liverpool first half XI vs Stoke: Mamardashvili, Szoboszlai, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson, Jones, Nyoni, Wirtz, Salah, Nunez, Ngumoha.
Liverpool second half XI vs Stoke: Mamardashvili (Pesci ’59), Bradley, Konate, Tsimikas, Kerkez, Gravenberch, Endo, Gakpo, Frimpong, Chiesa, Doak (Stephenson ’74).
(Matt McNulty/Getty Images)
