Teenage star Rio Nguhoma continued to impress and Hugo Ekitike registered his first assist as Liverpool secured 4-1 and 3-2 wins in back-to-back friendlies against Athletic Club at Anfield.

The two games marked the first fixtures at home since the tragic passing of Diogo Jota and his brother, Andre Silva, with the duo honoured in the 20th minute of both games as play was paused and supporters rose to sing his name.

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Supporters in Anfield rose to their feet in the 20th minute to honour Diogo Jota in the first home game since his passing.

Liverpool vs Athletic Bilbao: Live score, team news and updates as Hugo Ekitike assists Mo Salah for opener in second match of double-header after 16-year-old wonderkid scored stunner in easy early win	Ben Doak shines as 3 players impress Arne Slot in game no.1 vs. Athletic Bilbao	Ben Doak shines as 3 players impress Arne Slot in game No. 1 vs. Athletic Bilbao

Nguhoma kickstarted the evening with his second goal of pre-season when he curled home the opener in the second minute, before then teeing up Darwin Nunez to double the lead three minutes later.

His teammate Ben Doak, another youngster impressing in the first team, rightfully described the 16-year-old as "ridiculous" during his post-match interview, having also played a major role in the win after seeing goalkeeper Alex Padilla bundle his cross into the net before half-time.

Liverpool's game one starting XI

Liverpool: Woodman; Stephenson, Tsimikas, Robertson, Nyoni; Mac Allister, Jones, Elliot; Nunez, Doak, Ngumoha

"That guy is ridiculous," he told LFCTV after full-time.

So sharp and so talented.

"If he can keep going the way he is going, anything is possible."

Ngumoha shining in pre-season...

Liverpool winger Rio Ngumoha has scored two goals and provided two assists across his four appearances in pre-season.

Harvey Elliott rounded off the win with a well-taken effort of his own, but Luca Stephenson's error leading to Gorka Guruzeta heading home a consolation goal was the only blight on a successful first friendly.

Also See:How the second game played out - Ekitike registers first assist

Arne Slot named arguably his strongest starting line-up, barring the notable absences of Virgil van Dijk and Alisson Becker, who missed out through illness and personal matters respectively, for the second game.

Ekitike, Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez all featured to make their Anfield debuts and it was the French striker who made the impact, pulling the ball back for Mohamed Salah in the 14th minute to give the Reds a deserved lead.

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The new-look Liverpool side flooded forward with confidence, chemistry and intent throughout but missed the presence of their captain at the back.

With no Joe Gomez due to an injury earlier in pre-season and Jarell Quansah sold to Bayer Leverkusen, Wataru Endo started alongside Ibrahim Konate in the centre of defence and offered little resistance when the ball fell to Oihan Sancet in the box, leading to the equaliser.

Liverpool's game two starting XI

Liverpool: Mamardashvili, Frimpong, Endo, Konate, Kerkez, Szoboszlai, Gravenberch, Wirtz, Salah, Gakpo, Ekitike

Two goals and a header into the back of his own net within the space of 15 minutes from Cody Gakpo made for an entertaining end at Anfield, ultimately leading to Slot's side walking away with a 3-2 win in the second game.

Like the first game, there was only one blemish on the performance