Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version or go back to LFC Live.net

Ryan Gravenberch, Florian Wirtz and Milos Kerkez of Liverpool during a pre-season training session(Image: Nikki Dyer - LFC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Florian Wirtz made his first appearance for Liverpool since his club record transfer arrival as the Reds eased to victory in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Championship side Stoke City.

Wirtz, a £116million capture from Bayer Leverkusen last month, had been absent from the 3-1 win at Preston North End in the opening warm-up game for Arne Slot's side last weekend.

But the attacking midfielder featured for the first half of the game against Stoke, which was played at the AXA Training Centre at Kirkby on Sunday afternoon.

Darwin Nunez continued his good start to pre-season by scoring a first-half hat-trick while Rio Ngumoha also netted before the break as the Reds romped to a 5-0 victory over the Potter, Federico Chiesa finishing the scoring in the second half.

READ MORE:Liverpool braced for new Luis Diaz transfer offer as Bayern Munich consider different optionREAD MORE:Liverpool close to Hugo Ekitike transfer as talks continue over £78m compromise

Wirtz was part of a strong starting XI in which captain Virgil van Dijk made his first appearance of pre-season.

The Germany international operated as the number 10 with Ngumoha lining up on the left flank, Mohamed Salah on the right and Nunez, who looked particularly sharp, down the middle.

New young goalkeeper signing Armin Pecsi was in goal, with Kostas Tsimikas at centre-back, Conor Bradley right-back and Milos Kerkez left-back.

Ryan Gravenberch and Wataru Endo were the two defensive midfielders with Cody Gakpo more advanced.

Chiesa, Jeremie Frimpong and Ben Doak made up the forward line.

Article continues below

Liverpool will now jet out to the Far East for the start of their pre-season tour.

They face AC Milan in Hong Kong next Saturday before moving on to Japan for a game at Yokohama F Marinos.