Yokohama F Marinos 1-3 Liverpool: Highlights, man of the match, stats as Hugo Ekitike makes debut, Wirtz and Ngumoha shine

Liverpool's new £79m striker Hugo Ekitike made his debut on Wednesday as the Reds beat Yokohama F Marinos 3-1 in a friendly at Nissan Stadium.

Arne Slot decided to start the game with a lineup closer to his expected first XI, with a front three of Mohamed Salah, Ekitike and Cody Gakpo backed up by Florian Wirtz.

However, the Reds went into the break frustrated with the scoreline 0-0, though they did have some promising moments such as when Gakpo hit the post early on or the debutant saw his instinctive flick saved by opposition goalkeeper Park Il-Gyu.

For all of the Merseysiders' efforts, it was Yokohama who opened the scoring through Asahi Uenaka, who finished off an impressive move with a left-footed strike across the goal.

That being said, Marinos' lead lasted only eight minutes as Wirtz opened his Reds account with a fine side-footed shot after a well-timed interception from Jones, and Jermie Frimpong picked out Trey Nyoni with a fantastic cross to put them ahead.

One of the standout performers in pre-season has been 16-year-old Rio Ngumoha, and he rounded out the result by adding a third late on from a quick attack.

SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT

Yokohama have endured a difficult season so far, but they gave a good account of themselves and offered the toughest physical test that the Premier League champions have faced so far this summer.

As for Liverpool, Slot handed a debut to Ekitike, and while he failed to score or assist, he racked up important minutes that will help him to build fitness and chemistry with his teammates ahead of the Premier League season.

Youngsters Nyoni and Ngumoha were excellent once again, and with both on the scoresheet, the manager has a decision to make about their places in the squad.

YOKOHAMA F MARINOS VS. LIVERPOOL HIGHLIGHTS

54th min: Yokohama F Marinos 1-0 Liverpool (Asahi Uenaka)

Yokohama put together an impressive string of play, and an impressive reverse through ball finds Asahi Uenaka on the left-hand side of the box, and the forward produces a fine finish across Giorgi Mamardashvili to open the scoring.

62nd min: Yokohama F Marinos 1-1 Liverpool (Florian Wirtz)

Curtis Jones intercepts a loose pass from the Marinos backline, drives forwards and picks out Salah on the right wing before the Egyptian lays the ball back to him.

Jones then flicks the ball into the path of the oncoming Wirtz, who slots home with power and precision into the left-hand side of the net from close range.

67th min: Yokohama F Marinos 1-2 Liverpool (Trey Nyoni)

Substitute Jeremie Frimpong shows his quality with an excellent whipped cross to youngster Trey Nyoni, who volleys the ball into the back of the net from six-yards out on the left-hand side of the goal.

86th min: Yokohama F Marinos 1-3 Liverpool (Rio Ngumoha)

Andrew Robertson plays a quick pass to 16-year-old Ngumoha on the left wing, and the teenager drives forward from the halfway line, spearheading a six-on-three attack, but instead of passing, he cuts inside and fires a low shot that the goalkeeper is unable to deal with.

MAN OF THE MATCH - JEREMIE FRIMPONG

Liverpool found it difficult to break down Yokohama at times, but Frimpong's injection of energy changed the momentum of the game.

The Reds came from behind to win 3-1, thanks in large part to his work, and his assist for Nyoni also showed his immense technical quality.

YOKOHAMA F MARINOS VS. LIVERPOOL MATCH STATS

Possession: Yokohama F Marinos 32%-68% Liverpool

Shots: Yokohama F Marinos 7-19 Liverpool

Shots on target: Yokohama F Marinos 5-13 Liverpool

Corners: Yokohama F Marinos 4-9 Liverpool

Fouls: Yokohama F Marinos 10-9 Liverpool

WHAT NEXT?

Up next for Yokohama is a return to J1 League action against Tokyo Verdy on August 9, while Liverpool are set to play back-to-back friendly matches against Athletic Bilbao at 5pm and 8pm on August 4.