Wirtz Strikes as Liverpool’s Rising Stars Down Yokohama F Marinos 3-1 in Japan Showdown

Liverpool Triumph 3-1 Over Yokohama F Marinos in Japan

Under the lights at Yokohama’s Nissan Stadium, Liverpool closed out their pre-season tour of Asia with a confident 3-1 win over J1 League side Yokohama F. Marinos with a performance that reflected Arne Slot’s tactical influence and shone a light on the club’s emerging young talents.

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The evening began with flashes of Premier League intensity from the Merseyside Reds, but also moments of rust that betrayed their ongoing preseason conditioning. Despite dictating the rhythm throughout the first half, Liverpool lacked the final touch.

Cody Gakpo rattled the post early on, Florian Wirtz stung the defenders with a deflected strike, and Mohamed Salah, pulling the strings with a familiar elegance, carved out multiple chances that begged to be finished. Even debutant Hugo Ekitike, full of intent, nearly broke the deadlock with an audacious flick.

Yet, for all their possession and promise, it was the Japanese hosts who struck first. Ren Kato’s precision pass unlocked the Reds' backline, and Asahi Uenaka coolly slotted past Giorgi Mamardashvili, sending the 67,000-strong crowd into rapture.

But the Premier League champions’ response was swift and assertive. Curtis Jones, freshly introduced from the bench, intercepted in midfield and began a sequence that blended precision and purpose. A sharp exchange with Salah ended with Florian Wirtz calmly side-footing into the corner, his first goal in Liverpool colours, and a reward for a lively performance.

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Momentum firmly in hand, Slot rang the changes. Among them came Japan’s own Wataru Endo, greeted with deafening applause, along with a flurry of youth that underlined the depth of Liverpool’s development pipeline. Trey Nyoni soon made his mark, soaring at the far post to acrobatically convert a teasing ball from Jeremie Frimpong. A goal born of hunger and flair.

With time winding down, another starlet had his say. Rio Ngumoha picked up the ball near the halfway line and drove with determination, gliding through tired legs before placing his finish into the far corner. It was sharp, confident, and clinical.

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For Slot, it was an evening filled with promise, and a winning sendoff from Asia, a debut for Ekitike, valuable minutes for Alexis Mac Allister, and a glimpse of the next generation eager to claim their moment.

The scoreline read 3-1, but the message ran deeper. Liverpool’s pre-season is shaping more than legs, it’s revealing character, cohesion, and a squad that looks ready to evolve.