Liverpool fans have a reason to smile after the Reds wrapped up their pre-season with back-to-back victories against Athletic Club at Anfield.
The friendlies, played over two days, offered Jürgen Klopp a final opportunity to test his squad, and one star player stole the spotlight with an impressive performance that has left supporters hopeful ahead of the new English Premier League (EPL) season.
Darwin Núñez, who has been under intense scrutiny since his arrival at Anfield, silenced critics with a stellar display that included a goal and an assist during the second match.
His pace, movement, and improved finishing gave fans a glimpse of what could be a breakout season for the Uruguayan striker. Social media buzzed with praise, as many noted his confidence and chemistry with new signing Dominik Szoboszlai and attacking partner Mohamed Salah.
The friendly matches also saw the return of key players from injury, including Curtis Jones and Thiago Alcântara, who played limited minutes but showed promising signs of recovery.
In defense, Ibrahima Konaté and Joe Gomez formed a solid partnership that kept Athletic Club's attack at bay, providing Klopp with positive headaches over his starting lineup ahead of the EPL opener.
Speaking after the match, Klopp expressed satisfaction with the team’s performance and fitness levels.
“We looked sharp, confident, and hungry,” he said. “Darwin was outstanding. You can see how hard he’s worked in training. This is the level we want from everyone.”
Liverpool will now turn their focus to their first league fixture of the 2025/26 season this coming weekend. Fans are hopeful that the momentum built during pre-season, especially with players like Núñez stepping up, will carry over into the competitive matches.
The wins over Athletic Club may have been friendlies, but for the Anfield faithful, they felt like much more — a sign that their team is ready to fight for silverware again.
As excitement builds, one thing is clear: Liverpool’s pre-season has ended on a high, and the future looks bright.
