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<ul><li>Nunez hits hat-trick against Stoke</li><li>Wirtz makes highly anticipated debut</li><li>Chiesa and 16-year-old Ngumoha also score</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script>

Darwin Nunez hits hat-trick for Liverpool in thumping 5-0 friendly win over Stoke with Federico Chiesa also among the goals as record signing Florian Wirtz makes his debut

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<p>As reported by <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6504774/2025/07/20/darwin-nunez-liverpool-pre-season/" target="_blank">The Athletic,</a> the Uruguayan struck a quick-fire treble against the Championship side, playing in a front three which included Mohamed Salah and 16-year-old Rio Ngumoha. British record £116m signing Wirtz started behind them wearing the Red of Liverpool for the first time. A goal from teenage sensation Ngumoha saw Arne Slot's side race into a 4-0 half-time lead, before 10 changes were made at the break and substitute Federico Chiesa added a fifth goal.</p><p></p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">A Nunez hat-trick and goals from Ngumoha and Chiesa helped us beat Stoke City 5-0 in a behind-closed-doors friendly today ⚽️ <a href="https://t.co/PoFE75YIJT">pic.twitter.com/PoFE75YIJT</a></p>— Liverpool FC (@LFC) <a href="https://twitter.com/LFC/status/1947012139966693765?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 20, 2025</a></blockquote>
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WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>Nunez has been the subject of <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/darwin-nunez-in-limbo-striker-waiting-for-napoli-to-improve-bid-as-liverpool-striker-eyes-anfield-exit/bltdf8c813f3bb6bb86" target="_blank">much transfer talk throughout the summer,</a> but he has now scored four goals in just two halves of football in pre-season so far. <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/darwin-nunez-cody-gakpo-liverpool-tribute-diogo-jota-victory-preston/bltaf66dc607a6c900f" target="_blank">He paid tribute to the late Diogo Jota with his celebration</a> after a goal against Preston North End last week. <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/liverpool-hugo-ekitike-reds-make-eye-watering-eur90m-eintracht-frankfurt-for-in-demand-striker/blt6867dbf1c76a4157" target="_blank">Liverpool are reportedly set to bring in Hugo Ekitike</a> from Eintracht Frankfurt, so the Uruguayan's future at Anfield remains up in the air.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>Liverpool will soon head off for their pre-season tour of Asia, which begins with a fixture against AC Milan at Hong Kong's Kai Tak Stadium. A clash against J1 League side Yokohama F Marinos then follows in Tokyo, in the Reds' first trip to Japan in 20 years since they lost to Sao Paolo in the Club World Championship final.</p>

DID YOU KNOW?

<p>Whether or not Nunez remains at Anfield come their opening Premier League fixture against Bournemouth on August 15 remains to be seen. The Reds have a tough challenge on their hands in defending their league title, but their transfer business this summer has shown the club's ambition to create a new dynasty.</p>

WHAT NEXT FOR NUNEZ AND LIVERPOOL?

Darwin Nunez hits hat-trick for Liverpool in thumping 5-0 friendly win over Stoke with Federico Chiesa also among the goals as record signing Florian Wirtz makes his debut | Goal.com

Darwin Nunez scored a first-half hat-trick as Liverpool put Stoke to the sword in a 5-0 pre-season victory at Kirkby as Florian Wirtz made his debut.

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