Florian Wirtz has officially opened his Liverpool account — and he did it in style.
The 22-year-old midfielder found the net for the first time in red as the Premier League champions came from behind to beat Yokohama F. Marinos 3-1 in a lively pre-season clash in Japan.
It wasn’t all smooth sailing, though. Arne Slot’s side, still adjusting to new players, went 1-0 down early in the second half courtesy of Uenaka’s strike.
But the Reds hit back hard and fast — and Wirtz was at the centre of it.
His goal came from a move straight off the training ground. Curtis Jones won the ball high up the pitch and slipped it to Mohamed Salah, whose cut-back rolled through to Wirtz.
The German kept his cool and slotted it into the corner with his final touch of the game. Clinical. Efficient. Very German.
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Who all took part for Liverpool in Yokohama FM pre-season win?
Slot’s line-up featured a strong mix of youth and experience, and Liverpool fans got a good look at the club’s depth.
Summer signings Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike both started, while Szoboszlai and Salah pulled strings in midfield and attack.
Captain Virgil van Dijk got a warm reception before being subbed off for Wataru Endo — Japan’s own.
The crowd in Yokohama erupted as the local hero entered the fray, and every touch he took was met with cheers. He even got close to a goal from a corner, but couldn’t keep his header down.
The second half was all Liverpool. Teenagers Trey Nyoni and Rio Ngumoha stole the spotlight.
First, Nyoni acrobatically volleyed in a Frimpong cross to make it 2-1.
Then Ngumoha put the icing on the cake with a cool solo finish after a lightning-fast counterattack. At just 16, the kid’s already got defenders on skates.
The Reds ended their Far East tour with a win, confidence, and a few youngsters giving fans a reason to dream.
Liverpool’s starting XI vs. Yokohama FM: Mamardashvili (GK), Bradley, Konate, van Dijk, Kerkez, Gravenberch, Szoboszlai, Wirtz, Salah, Gakpo, Ekitike
Subs: Frimpong 63′, Tsimikas 63′, Endo 60′, Robertson 63′, Jones 46′, Mac Allister 63′, Nyoni 63′, Elliott 63′, Ngumoha 63′, Nunez 60′.
Subs not used: Woodman, Pecsi, Morton, Stephenson.
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