Liverpool 4-1 Sevilla: Nyoni makes his mark as Diaz and Jota star in dominant win

Liverpool warmed up for the new Premier League season with a comfortable 4-1 victory over Sevilla at Anfield.

The Reds returned to their home patch after recording three wins over Real Betis, Arsenal and Manchester United on the tour of the USA.

Liverpool picked up from where they left off in the USA, scoring three goals in a dominant first-half display against Garcia Pimienta's side.

Diogo Jota opened the scoring with a sumptuous volley, before Luis Diaz netted a six-minute brace to give the home faithful plenty to celebrate at a sun-drenched Anfield.

Sevilla thought that they had given themselves a much-needed foothold when summer signing Peque pulled a goal back in the 66th minute.

However, Liverpool required less than 60 seconds to restore their three-goal cushion, with 17-year-old Trey Nyoni grabbing a goal to remember in front of the Kop.

The Reds ultimately saw out the remainder of the contest with minimum fuss to record a fourth consecutive win in their first pre-season under new manager Arne Slot.

Jota, Diaz star in dominant first half

After featuring in the two friendlies against Arsenal and Man United, Jota finally grabbed his first goal of pre-season with a scorching effort on the half-hour mark.

The Portugal international met Trent Alexander-Arnold's chipped pass on the full, drilling his left-footed volley past the helpless Orjan Nyland.

Jota quickly turned provider, laying the ball into the path of Diaz, who cut inside onto his right foot before unleashing a fierce shot into the top corner.

Diaz was able to celebrate his second and Liverpool's third in first-half stoppage time, tapping into the empty net to round off an incisive team move which started at the feet of Alisson Becker.

First-time finish from Nyoni ðŸ™Œ pic.twitter.com/WtdckKrNuO

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) August 11, 2024

Nyoni creates moment to remember

After experiencing a disappointing first half, Sevilla finally had something to celebrate in the 66th minute when Peque curled a precise finish off the inside of the far post.

However, Liverpool produced a positive response less than 60 seconds after the former Racing Santander man had found the net.

Nyoni, who replaced Diaz in the 62nd minute, latched onto a poor defensive header to drive a right-footed shot past the despairing Nyland.

The teenager, who turned 17 in June, added a goal at the Kop end to what has already been a memorable year for the highly-rated youngster.

After making his Liverpool debut in February, the attacker has been given the chance to gain valuable playing time in each of Liverpool's four friendlies in pre-season.

Crucial minutes for Liverpool's senior stars

In addition to seeing his side claim a comfortable win, Slot would have been pleased to see several of his key players get crucial game time under their belt ahead of the new season.

Diaz, Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Alexis Mac Allister and Virgil van Dijk played at least an hour in their first outings of pre-season.

Meanwhile, Jarell Quansah, Dominik Szoboszlai, Konstantinos Tsimikas, Mohamed Salah and Jota were all give the opportunity to play the full duration of the lunchtime kickoff.

What next for Liverpool and Sevilla?

Liverpool still have one more game to play on Sunday, with the Reds set to face Las Palmas in a behind-closed-doors game at 5.30pm.

Once they have faced the Spanish side, the Merseyside club will turn their focus to Saturday's Premier League opener against newly-promoted Ipswich Town.

As for Sevilla, they have finished their pre-season schedule with three wins and three defeats, leaving them to focus on Friday's La Liga opener against Garcia Pimienta's former club Las Palmas.