Teenagers steal the show in 4-1 win over Athletic Club as Liverpool’s attack looks sharper than ever—and more complicated for the new boss
Liverpool fans had barely settled into their seats at Anfield before the message was clear: this team isn’t just ready for the Community Shield — they’re itching to start the season.
A convincing 4-1 win over Athletic Club saw goals, fluid play, and two teenagers making serious cases for first-team minutes. Rio Ngumoha and Ben Doak didn’t just impress. They forced a rethink.
A Night That Belonged to the Kids
Ngumoha’s stunning strike midway through the second half drew the loudest cheer of the night. And rightly so.
It wasn’t just the goal — a curling effort from outside the box that left the Bilbao keeper frozen — it was everything else. The positioning, the work rate, the confidence.
Minutes later, Ben Doak, all raw pace and swagger, skipped past two defenders and lashed one in himself. Two goals. Two teenagers. One big problem for Arne Slot.
Slot clapped on the touchline. Smiling, but also… thinking.
Who’s Getting Dropped?
That’s the million-pound question now.
With Salah still the main man on the right, and Luis Díaz returning to form on the left, Doak and Ngumoha aren’t walk-ins. But they’re making a nuisance of themselves. In the best way.
You could see it in how Slot used them:
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Doak played like a man on a mission — direct, aggressive, fearless
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Ngumoha floated inside, linking with midfield like a seasoned pro
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Neither looked like a “development” project
And that forces decisions. Not today. But soon. Maybe sooner than expected.
Full Player Ratings from Anfield
There were no passengers in this one. Everyone played a part — though some made more noise than others.
Here’s how the squad rated:
| Player | Rating (out of 10) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Alisson | 7.5 | Safe hands, strong in distribution |
| Trent Alexander-Arnold | 8 | Sharp going forward, better defensively too |
| Van Dijk | 7 | Calm and composed, but wasn’t tested much |
| Konaté | 7.5 | Some good recoveries, looked match sharp |
| Robertson | 6.5 | A little rusty but reliable |
| Mac Allister | 8.5 | Pulled strings with ease, classy on the ball |
| Szoboszlai | 7.5 | Lively, linked well with forwards |
| Gravenberch | 6 | Still feels off the pace a bit |
| Doak | 9 | Goal, assist, and relentless energy |
| Ngumoha | 8.5 | Sublime finish and fearless decision-making |
| Nunez | 6.5 | Worked hard but lacked composure in front |
One-line verdict? Slot has a deep squad. And a few hard calls ahead.
Pre-Game Emotions, Post-Game Clarity
Before kickoff, Anfield paid tribute to Diogo Jota’s late father. It was quiet, heartfelt, and perfectly done.
Then the whistle blew, and it was business.
And for all the emotions, the game itself was clinical. Liverpool bossed possession, created chances at will, and made a good Athletic Club side look ordinary.
That doesn’t happen by accident. Slot’s system is clicking into place.
Doak: No Longer Just the “Next Big Thing”
There’s been buzz around Doak for a while. Scottish prodigy. Electric feet. High ceiling.
But what he showed against Bilbao wasn’t hype. It was product.
He attacked with intent, tracked back, and handled senior defenders like they were training cones. Even senior players looked his way a few times. That says something.
At 18, he might not get 38 starts. But he’ll be knocking on that door all season long.
Ngumoha’s Star Moment
Ngumoha only signed from Chelsea last year. He’s just 17.
But this wasn’t a kid running around chasing shadows. He was involved. Clever. Crisp. His goal? The kind you remember.
And his celebration said it all — part disbelief, part defiance.
It’s early, but Liverpool may have found themselves a gem.
Athletic Club Weren’t Bad — Liverpool Were Just That Good
To Bilbao’s credit, they didn’t lie down.
They pressed. They tried to play. They even pulled one back after the break — a sharp finish from Iñaki Williams.
But Liverpool just had too much. Too much speed. Too many options.
Too many kids playing like veterans.
What Comes Next?
The Community Shield is next weekend, and Arne Slot’s got choices to make.
Does he trust youth on the big stage? Or play it safe with experience?
Either way, players like Doak and Ngumoha have made themselves impossible to ignore. And in a squad already stacked with firepower, that’s both a blessing… and a logistical headache.
