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Players of Liverpool warm up during the Liverpool Pre-Season Training at Kai Tak Stadium on July 24, 2025 in Hong Kong, China.(Image: Yu Chun Christopher Wong/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)

Around 25,000 supporters came out to watch Liverpool train at the Kai Tak Stadium on Thursday evening.

Arne Slot and his staff put the players through their paces during a session that lasted around 90 minutes in total with Cody Gakpo in particular looking sharp in front of the fans from Hong Kong.

New signing Hugo Ekitike was introduced to his new colleagues at the end of the workout as he entered the pitch to greet his team-mates having flown in from the UK after completing a club medical on Tuesday.

The ECHO was at the stadium to view proceedings.

Here are some of the things learned from the Liverpool training session.

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Gakpo looked sharp

It was Cody Gakpo who was the standout performer from the day's session, smashing two goals past new goalkeeper Giorgi Mamradashvili.

The Netherlands international fired home with conviction to open the scoring in the training game before wrapping in a second and he looked sharp throughout with his neat footwork and willingness to drive at defenders.

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A smart cross with the outside of his foot also should have led to a goal from new man Jeremie Frimpong but he headed wide from his international colleague's ball to the back post.

Gakpo enjoyed his best season as a Liverpool player last time out and looked like he was out to continue that form into the new term based on this evidence.

He will get further match minutes under his belt when AC Milan are met on Saturday.

Elliott makes up for miss

The silky smooth Florian Wirtz had every right to have expected an assist for Harvey Elliott during the session but the England Under-21 hero somehow fired wide from close range.

It was a shocker of a miss from Elliott and while there was some amusement from his colleagues, the player himself could only wince after hitting it wide with the goal gaping on his weaker right foot.

Elliott, though, didn't let the miss affect him and made amends shortly after, striking past Mamardashvili, who otherwise had an impressive session himself, making a handful of eye-catching saves.

Elliott's future remains unclear after returning to the squad recently on the back of his U21 exploits last month in Slovakia, where he starred as the Young Lions won the European Championship.

The addition of Wirtz further complicates matters for Elliott, who barely started a Premier League game last season, but this was an important session as he looks to regain match sharpness following his end-of-season holidays.

Endo leaves Diaz in a heap

It might have only been a training session but Wataru Endo took no prisoners, with Luis Diaz feeling the full force at one stage.

Colombia winger Diaz, who himself looked lively, was driving at Japan captain Endo en route to goal before he was taken down unceremoniously by the sort of challenge that is definitely not the done thing in a training session with team-mates.

Endo quickly apologised to Diaz, who eventually got to his feet and accepted.

Ekitike pops in

The 25,000-strong crowd were given something of a surprise at the end of the session when new signing Hugo Ekitike was introduced to his new colleagues on the pitch.

The France Under-21 international has flown to Hong Kong after completing his medical in London on Tuesday and could be part of the action when the Reds meet AC Milan on Saturday.

That game, though, may come too soon for the new £79m striker, so the friendly with Yokohama F Marinos next week might be more realistic.

Either way, the hard yards start now for the latest addition.

You'll Never Walk Alone

There was a particularly poignant rendition of You'll Never Walk Alone shortly before the players emerged at around 5pm, local time on Thursday.

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As the Asian supporters sang the famous pre-match anthem, several supporters could be seen in tears as they paid tribute to Diogo Jota, who was killed in a car accident earlier this month with his younger brother, Andre Silva.

A number of clearly emotional Reds fans could be seen holding up shirts and banners in honour of the Portugal international, whose No.20 shirt has been retired by the club since his passing.


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