Liverpool player ratings v Athletic Bilbao – Ngumoha electric, 5/10 frustrates
Liverpool continued their preparations for their 2025/26 Premier League title defence with a 4-1 win over Athletic Bilbao in their first friendly.
The Reds beat Preston 3-1 earlier in the summer, before travelling to Japan, where they lost 4-2 to AC Milan before rounding off the trip with a 3-1 win against Yokohama F. Marinos.
Arne Slot‘s are wrapping up their preseason with two games against Spanish side Athletico Bilbao at Anfield on Monday (4 August), with the first friendly finishing 4-1 to the Reds.
Ngumoha shines against Bilbao
Ngumoha carried on his fine preseason form against Bilbao.
The winger scored and bagged an assist in the opening ten minutes as he continued to stake his claim for more gametime next season.
- Ngumoha has made one competitive senior appearance at this point, in the 4-0 win over Accrington Stanley in the FA Cup last season.
He left supporters stunned after a fine performance in Liverpool’s win over Preston, before scoring in the Reds’ victory over Marinos.
With Luis Diaz having departed the club, the left wing position remains open, and Ngumoha is putting in a fine audition for the vacant place in the starting XI.
Robertson struggles at centre back
Despite conceding just one goal, there were clear signs that Robertson was struggling while playing out of position.
The left back was forced to play in the middle for the friendly, with Kostas Tsimikas occupying his natural position.
| Liverpool’s left back options |
| Andy Robertson (31) |
| Milos Kerkez (21) |
| Kostas Tsimikas (29) |
The visiting side went close a couple of times in the first half, with the Scotsman caught out of position a couple of times.
Bilbao then again threatened in the second half with a shot that whistled wide of the post.
With Milos Kerkez eyeing the starting spot at left-back, Robertson’s defensive frailties will have done him no favours ahead of next season.
Liverpool player ratings
Freddie Woodman- 6
Curtis Jones- 7
Luca Stephenson- 7
Kostas Tsimikas- 6
Andy Robertson- 5
Trey Nyoni- 7
Harvey Elliott- 7
Alexis Mac Allister- 7
Ben Doak- 8
Rio Ngumoha- 9
Darwin Nunez- 8
Subsitutes
Armin Pesci (45mins)- 7
Jayden Danns (55mins)- 6
Wellity Lucky (55mins)- 7
Trent Kone-Doherty (67mins)- 6
Tommy Pilling (67mins)- 6
Lewis Koumas (79mins)- 7
Michael Laffey (84mins)- 6
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