Liverpool vs Athletic Bilbao: Live score, team news and updates as Hugo Ekitike gets an assist in goal-laden double-header after 16-year-old wonderkid scored stunner in easy early win

Alright, you've had enough of me for one night. Thank you for joining our coverage of today's double-header between Liverpool and Bilbao.

It turned out to be a really fun couple of matches to close out pre-season for the Premier League champions ahead of the Community Shield next week.

We will, of course, be with you for that game on Sunday but before then, make sure to stay with Mail Sport as we bring you the biggest stories as the transfer market heats up.

Take care!

What a day at Anfield. Two wins for Slot's men and he'll be delighted by a lot of what he saw across the 180 minutes.

This team look seriously good. Like, seriously good.

Of course, they have some things to iron out before the season starts but the fluidity of some of their passing moves, the energy and the quality at the top of the pitch is staggering.

And they might yet add Alexander Isak to this. Frightening stuff!

Bilbao are pushing for an equaliser here. Liverpool have given them the invitation. Only a couple of minutes left and I'm not sure how much extra time we'll get.

Ares forced Mamardashvilli into a stunning save with his right hand. Everyone is out to impress tonight.

Moments later, Wright is denied a dream goal from the counter from the Bilbao corner. It's still breathless at Anfield.

He's fluffed his lines. A really awkward, unorthodox spot kick from the Liverpool star sails high over the crossbar to the amazement of everyone in the Kop.

Endo is cleaned out by the Bilbao defender and it's the clearest penalty you're ever going to see. Chance for Salah to put this result out of doubt.

Slot must be happy with what he has seen from both teams that turned out today.

The set-piece frailities will certainly be a concern but the football he has got this team playing is breathtaking at times.

Just over 10 minutes of the second game left to play.

Florian Wirtz leaves the action to a standing ovation and is replaced by another signing, 17-year-old Will Wright. The Reds fought off Arsenal and Manchester City to sign him.

Let's see what he's got.

Simon will not want to see that one again. The keeper has got to save Gakpo's effort. It came at his quickly but the low drive has gone straight through the Spanish No 1.

Liverpool are back ahead when they were just starting to look leggy.

This goal also brings another change as Frimpong is replaced by Nallo. Looks like Szoboszlai will be playing RB for the rest of the match.

Football, eh?! Bilbao are level and it's from another set play. This one was even more comical. Sannadi made the first contact from a corner and his header smacks Gakpo in the face and finds the corner of the Liverpool net.

Sparkling stuff again from Liverpool. This time the ball makes its way to Salah, who fired a shot destined for the top corner but the effort was deflected behind.

As it turned out, the Egyptian was offside so it wouldn't have counted anyway. But yet more evidence of the quality we're seeing tonight.

LIVERPOOL LEAD.

A matter of seconds after he was denied by Simon, Gakpo puts Liverpool in front, reacting quickest to the ball the stopper spilt from Gravenberch's shot.

Slot turns to his bench after the goal. On comes Chiesa for the impressive Ekitike.

Oh, it's another great counter from Liverpool after they'd played out of the Bilbao press. Ekitike headed the ball down to Gakpo but the bouncing ball was hard for the Dutchman to control and his effort is tipped over the bar by Simon.

This is shaping up to be Frimpong's half. The Dutchman's skill opened up the Bilbao defence before his industry created a chance for Ekitke. The striker had a tiny opening, which was cleverly shut down by Simon in goal.

It's another fast start from the Reds. Salah, Gravenberch and Frimpong linking up well on the right side. Frimpong is looking really sharp tonight.

We are back underway at Anfield. The final 45 minutes of a mammoth day of action on Merseyside. Let's see if the Reds can get the go-ahead goal their display has merited.

Well, that was a lot of fun. Liverpool and Bilbao go in level at the break but I'm not sure how. Slot's men have looked incredible for much of the half, producing passages of play that the LaLiga side have struggled to deal with.

But the scoreline reads 1-1 at the break and that's because the champions couldn't deal with a free-kick. That will be of some concern but there's another 45 minutes to play yet.

Break in play here as the Bilbao goalscorer Sancet leaves the field after coming off worse in a challenge with Szoboszlai. Canales, who was a substitute in the first game, will come on.

Simon makes another top save as Liverpool continue to hammer the Bilbao goal. Salah has just produced another exquisite pass to set up the chance for Wirtz but the German was denied by the Spanish keeper.

I'm not sure how this game is level.

MY WORD! Konate has just put a bicycle kick over the bar... And he probably should have scored it.

The home side have spent the last three minutes bombarding the Bilbao goal and that passage ended with a spectacular effort from the central defender.

The visitors are level and it's very much against the run of play. Bilbao make the most of a deep free-kick, which Liverpool couldn't deal with.

Sancet received the ball on the penalty spot with the goal gaping and he duly smashed it into the net.

Game on.

The flying Reds have calmed down a little in the last few minutes but they're still looking incredibly dangerous with every attack. Bilbao are no mugs but they're getting the right runaround by Slot's men at the moment.

Another poignant moment as play stops on the 20th minute and Anfield rises to salute Diogo Jota.

My word, this is something! Europe, beware.

Wirtz forces a top save from Simon after another blistering counter from the Reds. Thirty seconds later, Ekitike wins a free-kick on the edge of the box.

I can't keep up!

This team are going to be a problem. That was class.

This time it's Ekitike showing what talent his possesses. The Frenchman beat his man on the wing and played a superb ball into Salah, which he dispatches into the corner of the net.

GAKPO HAS TO SCORE!

Liverpool should be ahead. Gakpo has got to find the corner or find one of his teammates in the middle but he managed neither.

It's a good save from Simon from Szoboszlai's fierce free-kick. The Spanish No 1 initially spilt it, inviting Ekitike to have a nibble but he recovered well to retrieve the ball.

Liverpool are starting to flex their muscles here.

SO CLOSE FROM WIRTZ!

It's a great counter from Liverpool, involving Ekitike, Gakpo and then Wirtz, who heads just over the crossbar. Some silky stuff from the home side.

The pace in this team is frightening.

The difference in quality is night and day. And I don't say that to disparage the first Bilbao side but it's quite stark seeing the intensity of his second team in the first few minutes.

We are underway, again, at Anfield. Tough act to follow, let's see if these players can manage it.

I hope you're all ready for our second helping of action from Anfield. The players are out onto the pitch and received a grand reception from a crowd with admirable stamina.

Kick-off is just a few short minutes away.

Liverpool's interest in Alexander Isak has kind of overshadowed the signing of Ekitike from Frankfurt. Liverpool fans got a little taste of the Frenchman's talent last week but today will be their first opportunity to see him in the flesh.

With the Isak drama set to drag on, Ekitike can lay down a marker and make it difficult for the Swede to get into the starting XI if he eventually completes a move to Anfield.

He's one of several players auditioning for a starting spot in next week's Community Shield.

Liverpool are set for a sterner test in the second match, with Valverde calling upon several of his key men. Chief among them is Nico Williams, who came so close to leaving for Barcelona this summer.

It's not just on the pitch where there's been major change in this Liverpool side, it's in the dugout as well.

Former Rangers boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst has replaced Johnny Heitinga in Slot's backroom staff, while Xavi Valero returns to Anfield, having been part of Rafael Benitez, replacing Claudio Taffarel as goalkeeping coach.

It's Anfield's first chance to welcome their new hero, Florian Wirtz. There is a lot of excitement about how he, Salah and Ekitike will link up this evening.

The first squad set the bar very high. Can the all-stars go even better?

Ben Doak, Liverpool, LFC TV:

On Rio Ngumoha:

The new season is nearly upon us, and I am very excited. This is Liverpool's final pre-season match before the season curtain-raiser that is the Community Shield next week.

I know, right, the rich get richer. We've not even finished celebrating one teenage sensation at Liverpool, and there's already another one on the cards.

To find out why everyone is so excited about Will Wright, make sure you check out the story below.

Salah's in his new threads, looking ready for business ahead of the 8pm kick-off. Also, a word for the new signing, Will Wright, behind him.

Liverpool beat out competition from Arsenal and Manchester City to sign the striker from Salford City. He's on the bench for the second match and could get some time in front of the Anfield crowd.

Salah, Wirtz, Ekitike, need I say more? The A team will be taking on Bilbao's stronger side in the second clash tonight.

Don't go anywhere. The action isn't stopping at Anfield and neither are we. The big hitters will be getting their chance to wow the crowd in about an hour but before then, we'll have all the news and updates from Merseyside.

There was a little more emotion and feeling in Elliott's departure from the pitch after the final whistle. The midfielder looked to have tears in his eyes as he waved goodbye to the fans.

Elliott has been linked with a move away from his childhood club, so was this an acknowledgement that a move might not be far away?

Match one goes to the Reds after a terrific display against a leading LaLiga side. This match was all about the youngsters, Nyoni, Doak and especially Ngumoha.

What a future this teenager has in front of him. He's been the story of the Reds' pre-season and given that the side have signed the likes of Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike and Jeremie Frimpong, that's some going.

As expected, the game has just started to lose its shape and flow. Bilbao are pushing for a second and after my last prediction, I'm not going to put forward any opinions for the last few minutes of the match.

Nunez is replaced by Koumas for the final few minutes of the match. Could that be the last time we see him in a Liverpool jersey?

I jinxed it! Stephenson makes an awful mistake which presents the Bilbao striker with a header from about four yards.

It's harsh on the Reds defender who has been really good today.

A few sloppy incidents from the Liverpool defence in the last few minutes has just given Bilbao some encouragement as we head into the final 15 minutes of the match.

Can they capitalise on it? I wouldn't bet on it.

What has this first Bilbao team got left in the tank?

They've had a couple of presentable moments but they've failed to mount any sustained pressure. I imagine Valverde will be a little annoyed by what he's seen from this side.

Liverpool in full control now. I guess you'd expect nothing less with the scoreline 4-0 in their favour.

Kone-Doherty replaces Ngumoha, who received one hell of an applause from the Liverpool faithful. What an afternoon for the teenager.

Nyoni is also coming off, it looks like he may have picked up an injury. Pilling replaces him.

Here's Darwin's goal from early on in the match. Ngumoha again involved in this one.

ANOTHER ONE!

I'm trying not to be too hyperbolic but that goal was special. The build-up play was a thing of beauty and yet more evidence that second-season Liverpool under Slot are going to be delightful viewing.

Nyoni, now back in his familiar midfield role, is the orchestrator and eventually finds Nunez, who plays a neat ball into the on-rushing Elliott, who lashes it into the net.

Superb stuff!

Mac Allister and Doak depart for Lucky and Danns. Looks like Robertson is okay to continue.

Bilbao now on top!

The LaLiga side are starting to find some joy with passes between the lines. They are finally carrying a threat.

Slot will be keen to ensure that his team maintain the energy levels they showed in that blistering first half.

Elsewhere, there some concern for Robertson, who is moving gingerly after a challenge a few minutes ago. I'm not sure who is going to play centre back for the last 40 or so minutes.

Pecsi makes a stop Alisson would have been proud of. The substitute thwarted Bilbao with a smart save with his feet when Bilbao looked destined to get themselves back in the game.

An early chance for Bilbao right at the start of the half as they have a free-kick right on the edge of the box but Berengeur's effort didn't make it over the wall.

It's been a pretty subdued start other than that as both sets of players get back into full swing after the interval.

And we are back underway at Anfield. One change for the Reds as new signing Pecsi replaces Woodman in goal. There's a lot of buzz about this young Hungarian keeper.

Well, Slot couldn't have asked for much more than that. It has been all Liverpool and they have been very impressive.

Bilbao have not been able to deal with their intensity or dominant passing game. Nhgumoha and Doak have shown but a special mention for Stephenson, who has been solid all pre-season and impressive again in the first 45.

IT'S THREE! And it's Ben Doak's turn to grab some headlines.

He's been overshadowed by the new cohort this summer but the winger has shown he possesses a lot of quality that will get Slot thinking.

The Scot cut in on his left foot and then back out before letting off a fierce shot that the Bilbao keeper couldn't keep out despite getting a hand to it.

More pressure from the Reds nearly produces the third goal of the afternoon. Liverpool have been really impressive in winning the ball back high and that's what they do here, this time with Tsimikas, whose resulting shot was deflected away for a corner kick.

Liverpool get caught at the back and Bilbao had a 2v1, with only Nyoni back for the home side. However, the youngster showed great maturity in marshalling the situation and clearing the ball away for a corner.

That was a golden chance that Bilbao really should have taken advantage of.

It certainly feels like a friendly match now. Liverpool have the freedom to knit together these really intricate passing moves but they've been unable to fashion a goalscoring opportunity since their early double.

It's all Liverpool at the moment. Bilbao have had a couple of encouraging passages of play but the Reds have been in complete control from the first minute.

No further chances to speak of in the last few minutes but you sense another is right around the corner.

Doak forces an impressive save from Padilla after a lung-bursting run down the right flank. The keeper had moved out of his goal to anticipate grabbing Doak's cross and was nearly caught out.

It's good keeping in the end.

As we reach the 20th minute of the match, Anfield rises to applaud their Forever No 20. The players and staff have also stopped to pay their respects.

It's a beautiful moment. Jota's song is still ringing around the ground.

That should have been one back for the Spanish side. Liverpool were a little bit sloppy in defense and presented Bilbao with a couple of chances to find the back of the net, but a combination of poor finishing and a good block deny Valverde's men.

Gorosabel was the player with the final attempt that came off the post.

Liverpool's makeshift centre-back pairing has held up so far. It's Robertson and Nyoni on defensive duties this afternoon but Bilbao's attackers haven't yet had a chance to test them.

The Reds are doing such a good job of winning the ball back in midfield.

We're back underway after a short pause while a Bilbao player received treatment. The break also allowed the visitors to just settle themselves again.

Slot's men have been full of energy and are having their way with their guests at the moment.

Okay, let's all catch our breath after that rip-roaring start. The Reds are very much in the ascendancy, playing the ball about with ease and plotting their next attack.

Ngumaho is causing all sorts of problems on the left. Bilabo have taken to triple-marking him.

It's breathtaking stuff from the Reds.

Darwin Nunez taps in from close range from Ngumaho's clever header after Ben Doak's pinpoint cross. What a start.

BLIMEY! The cat is well and truly out of the bag!

What a start and what a strike from this teenage sensation! Rio Ngumaho expertly bends his shot into the corner from the edge of the area after Liverpool pressed their Spanish opponents.

Slot woulds probably have liked to ease him into first team consideration but he's making one hell of a case to be a crucial part of the team this year.

Liverpool get the game underway. Let's hope we get a couple of crackers.

You'll Never Walk Alone rings around a packed Anfield as the players arrive onto the pitch ahead of kick-off. Shirts and scarves bearing Jota's name are held high as Anfield pays its respect to their former star.

Cody Gakpo, Liverpool, The Athletic:

The first tribute to Diogo Jota and his brother Andre is underway at Anfield. Liverpool legend Phil Thompson and Bilbao president Jon Uriarte are making their way to the Kop to lay wreaths in honour of the brothers.

It's the first in a series of poignant moments that will accompany today's matches.

Rapturous applause and Jota's now iconic song ring around Anfield.

I am loving the new Adidas kit. Also notable is Ngumaho's fresh cornrows. The 16-year-old has been grabbing all the headlines for his startling performances in pre-season and he's clearly expecting to be in the spotlight in the weeks to come.

We're less than 15 minutes away from the first of two matches at Anfield today. I'm expecting a competitive affair in both of these games.

Virgil van Dijk, Liverpool, Programme notes:

Some early confusion at Anfield as fans were evacuated from the ground after many had already begun to take their seats in the stands. The reason for the evacuation is unclear but there has been no word on the 5pm kick-off being pushed back.

We'll let you know more as soon as we have further details.

Mail Sport were lucky, if that's the right term, to join Reds legend Sami Hyypia on a treacherous trip across the Arctic.

You do not want to miss this. So make sure you check out the drama below.

It would have been a little embarrassing if Bilboa trotted out their big boys for the first match, with the Reds fielding a slightly more inexperienced side. But it looks like Bilbao head coach Ernesto Valverde got the memo and has picked a slightly weaker team for the first match-up.

Bilabo will carry a threat. They finished fourth in LaLiga last term and have a few standout performers.

It looks like it's the end of the road for Darwin Nunez at Liverpool. The striker has had some highs in a Liverpool shirt but has failed to live up to the expectations that met his big-money move.

AC Milan and Al Hilal have stepped up their interest in recent days and with the Reds linked with a move for Alexander Isak, this could be the last time Liverpool fans get to see the No 9.

Liverpool boss Arne Slot has just revealed that Van Dijk will be absent from both teams today due to illness. Conor Bradley is also missing.

The Reds are also without Alisson Becker and Joe Gomez, so it's far from ideal with the Community Shield just one week away.

The last time we saw the Reds play in Japan, they were part of the Nike family. That's all changed now. The Premier League champions have begun a lucrative 10-year deal with Adidas and will be debuting their home strip for the first time today.

The training tops aren't too bad either!

With a few of notable exceptions, Arne Slot has decided to field his reserves in the first of the two matches this afternoon.

Alexis Mac Allister, who has been eased back after an injury at the end of last season, is the most senior player in the team along with Andy Robertson. Curtis Jones, Harvey Elliot and Kostas Tsimikas will provide further guidance for the youngsters.

This could also be the last time Reds fans get to see Darwin Nunez turning out for the club amid links to a move to Saudi Arabia.

What more can I say about Jota and the sadness that gripped the footballing world after his death last month?

Remarkably, this is the first time Liverpool will play at Anfield since his passing and it's sure to be an emotional occasion as fans pay their respects to the club's 'Forever No 20'.

Jota adorns the cover of the matchday programme and I believe the squad will continue to wear badges in his honour, just as they did during their tour of Asia.

Good afternoon and welcome to Mail Sport's coverage of Liverpool's pre-season clash against Athletic Bilbao. Buckle up because we're set for a double-header at Anfield today and we'll be here for both matches as the Reds end their pre-season schedule.

The first side will kick-off at 5pm, ahead of the second roster at 8pm.

It's set to be an emotional day in Liverpool, with this being the first match the Reds have played since the tragic death of Diogo Jota last month.

The club have remembered their 'Forever 20' in the matchday programme and they'll be tributes to the Portuguese and his brother Andre, who was also killed in that tragic car accident in July.

We'll be bringing you all the news ahead of the first match and then the action when it gets underway. Let's get to it!