Darwin Nunez scored a first-half hat-trick as Liverpool defeated Stoke City 5-0 in a behind-closed-doors friendly at the AXA Training Centre in Kirkby on Sunday as the players got more minutes into their legs ahead of jetting off on their pre-season tour of Asia.
The Uruguay international was the center of focus with a first-half hat-trick in the friendly game between Premier League champions and Championship side, Stoke City as he continues his scintillating start to the summer.
Softfootball understands that this fixture had not been on the calendar for Liverpool this summer, but with two weeks in between their first two matches, it makes sense to get an extra run-out in.
According Liverpool reporter for TheAthleticFC James Pearce, the Reds hosted Stoke at the training ground on Sunday. Via his X handle, Pearce said:
“Liverpool playing Stoke City in a behind closed doors friendly at the AXA today. The Reds 4-0 up at half-time with Darwin Nunez scoring a hat-trick and Rio Ngumoha also on target. Florian Wirtz played the first half.”
Liverpool playing Stoke City in a behind closed doors friendly at the AXA today.
The Reds 4-0 up at half-time with Darwin Nunez scoring a hat-trick and Rio Ngumoha also on target. Florian Wirtz played the first half.#LFC
— James Pearce (@JamesPearceLFC) July 20, 2025Darwin Nunez has now scored four goals in two pre-season games, a strong start for a player seemingly destined to leave Liverpool this summer as AC Milan and clubs from the Saudi Pro League remain interested in signing the forward.
Talented teenager Rio Ngumoha supposedly found the back of the net too, as Arne Slot’s men took a 4-0 lead in the opening 45 minutes, which new signing Florian Wirtz also played.
Federico Chiesa then made the scoreline more emphatic as Liverpool ran out comfortable victors, making it two for two in pre-season before they fly out to Asia for their pre-season tour.
Notably, Luis Diaz was not involved in the matchday squad. The game provided valuable preparation for Liverpool as they aim to defend their Premier League title in the upcoming season.
Liverpool will meet AC Milan next in Hong Kong on July 26, four days before meeting Yokohama F. Marinos in Japan, and the Premier League champions will then conclude their pre-season with a clash against Athletic Bilbao on August 4.
