Liverpool's pre-season tour of the Far East continued with a friendly against Yokohama F. Marinos in Japan. The match provided an opportunity for new manager Arne Slot to assess his squad and integrate new signings into the team.
Ekitike Debuts in Liverpool Win
Hugo Ekitike made his Liverpool debut, featuring in the starting XI alongside fellow summer arrivals Milos Kerkez, Giorgi Mamardashvili, and Florian Wirtz. The game, held at Nissan Stadium, offered fans a first glimpse of the revamped Liverpool squad.
Match Details and Lineups
The starting lineup for Liverpool included Mamardashvili in goal, a defensive line of Van Dijk and Konate, and a midfield featuring Szoboszlai, Gravenberch, and new additions. Salah and Gakpo led the attack alongside debutant Ekitike.
- Liverpool Starting XI: Mamardashvili, Van Dijk, Konate, Szoboszlai, Salah, Gakpo, Gravenberch, Ekitike, Kerkez, Wirtz, Bradley.
- Substitutes: Woodman, Pecsi, Endo, Nunez, Mac Allister, Jones, Elliott, Tsimikas, Robertson, Frimpong, Ngumoha, Morton, Stephenson, Nyoni.
Pre-Season Preparations
This match is part of Liverpool's preparations for the upcoming 2025-26 season. After a mixed start to their pre-season, including a loss to AC Milan, Arne Slot aimed for a victory against Yokohama F. Marinos to build momentum and team cohesion. The team also enjoyed some down-time in Tokyo, with players exploring the city before returning to training.
The game served as a crucial opportunity to fine-tune tactics and assess player fitness levels before the start of the competitive season. Liverpool staff praised Wataru Endo's impact in training, highlighting his potential contribution to the team.