{"id":277579,"date":"2025-07-20T14:34:11","date_gmt":"2025-07-20T14:34:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/277579\/"},"modified":"2025-07-20T14:34:11","modified_gmt":"2025-07-20T14:34:11","slug":"liverpool-5-0-stoke-darwin-nunez-fires-warning-shot-to-hugo-ekitike-with-first-half-hat-trick-in-friendly-win","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/277579\/","title":{"rendered":"Liverpool 5-0 Stoke: Darwin Nunez fires warning shot to Hugo Ekitike with first-half hat-trick in friendly win"},"content":{"rendered":"

Darwin Nunez reportedly scores a first-half hat-trick as Liverpool thump Stoke City 5-0 in a behind-closed-doors pre-season friendly.<\/p>\n

Darwin Nunez<\/strong><\/a> reportedly scored a first-half hat-trick as Liverpool<\/strong><\/a> defeated Stoke City<\/strong><\/a> 5-0 in a behind-closed-doors friendly on Sunday.<\/p>\n

The Uruguay international was on target in the Reds’ first pre-season match last weekend, a 3-1 triumph over Preston North End<\/strong><\/a> at Deepdale, and continued his scintillating start to the summer on Sunday.<\/p>\n

According to journalist James Pearce<\/a>, Nunez – who continues to be heavily linked with a departure – struck three times inside the first 45 minutes of the clash with the Potters, which was held at Liverpool’s AXA Training Centre.<\/p>\n

Talented teenager Rio Ngumoha<\/strong><\/a> supposedly found the back of the net too, as Arne Slot<\/strong><\/a>‘s men took a 4-0 lead in the opening 45 minutes, which new signing Florian Wirtz<\/strong><\/a> also played.<\/p>\n

Federico Chiesa<\/strong><\/a> then made the scoreline more emphatic as Liverpool ran out comfortable victors, making it two for two in pre-season before they fly out to Asia for their pre-season tour.<\/p>\n

The Reds next meet AC Milan in Hong Kong on July 26, four days before meeting Yokohama F. Marinos in Japan, and the Premier League champions then conclude their pre-season with a double-header against Athletic Bilbao on August 4.<\/p>\n

Liverpool transfer latest: Could Nunez still stay at Anfield this summer?<\/p>\n

\"Darwin<\/p>\n

Nunez has rediscovered his goalscoring touch at a time when Liverpool are closing in on the signing of a new number nine; a deal has reportedly been agreed <\/strong><\/a>for Eintracht Frankfurt talisman Hugo Ekitike<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

The Frenchman has said yes to a six-year contract at Anfield and will join for an initial fee of \u20ac80m (\u00a369.3m), which could potentially reach \u20ac95m (\u00a382.3m) if all performance-related add-ons are hit.<\/p>\n

At the same time, Nunez has seen a proposed move to Napoli fall through due to the finances involved, and his exceptional pre-season form may inevitably lead to suggestions that he could reignite his Reds career.<\/p>\n

However, with Ekitike almost certain to become Liverpool’s first-choice number nine straight away next season, Nunez is still expected to depart amid links with both Saudi Arabia and Serie A.<\/p>\n

Journalist Gary Jacob – via AnfieldEdition <\/a>– reports that AC Milan and Al-Hilal are showing a serious interest in the former Benfica man, who saw a proposed switch to the Middle East blocked during the January transfer window.<\/p>\n

Liverpool were not prepared to let Nunez leave midway through the campaign without a replacement lined up, but the English champions are happy to sell their former record signing for the right price in the current window.<\/p>\n

The 26-year-old has managed 40 goals and 26 assists in 143 competitive games for Liverpool, but he only struck five Premier League goals in the 2024-25 campaign.<\/p>\n

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