Florian Wirtz makes Liverpool debut behind closed doors as Rio Ngumoha and Darwin Nunez shine

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Liverpool are all set to fly out to the Far East as they continue their pre-season schedule.

The Reds got their first match out of the way last week, on a truly emotional occasion dedicated to the memory of Diogo Jota.

Since then, cameras have slowly been allowed back into the Liverpool training ground, with fans getting a first glimpse of new record signing Florian Wirtz.

However, while it is one thing to watch him in training, Liverpool supporters will have to wait another week to see Wirtz out on the pitch.

The Reds will face AC Milan in Hong Kong next Saturday, with the German expected to play some part.

For those at the AXA Training Centre on Sunday, though, they were given an early sighting of Wirtz, as he made his unofficial Liverpool debut in a behind-closed-doors friendly with Stoke City.

Liverpool face Stoke in behind-closed-doors friendly

This fixture had not been on the calendar for Liverpool this summer. But with two weeks in between their first two matches, it makes sense to get an extra run-out in.

And according to a raft of journalists, including James Pearce, the Reds hosted Stoke at the training ground on Sunday.

“Liverpool playing Stoke City in a behind closed doors friendly at the AXA today,” Pearce posted on X at 12.53pm.

READ MORE: West Ham player admits he’s delighted to see ‘very special’ Florian Wirtz in the Premier League with Liverpool

“The Reds 4-0 up at half-time with Darwin Nunez scoring a hat-trick and Rio Ngumoha also on target. Florian Wirtz played the first half.”

Pearce later updated the score around 2.30pm, adding that a Federico Chiesa goal had rounded off the scoring in the second period, leading to a commanding 5-0 result for the Reds.

Is there a chance Darwin Nunez stays?

Having scored while coming off the bench during last week’s friendly with Preston, Nunez is clearly enjoying himself at the moment.

That his hat-trick comes on a day in which Liverpool agreed a deal to sign Hugo Ekitike is a fact dripping with irony.

There will no doubt be a portion of the fanbase who are now itching to see Nunez stay and be given another chance at Anfield.

However, the fact of the matter is that the Uruguayan is up for sale. You can never say never in football, and perhaps four goals in less than two games of football is giving Arne Slot pause for thought.

But we think Slot’s mind was made up long ago on Nunez. It would be a real surprise if his goals have any impact on keeping him at the club.