Nunez sends Liverpool message with pre-season hat-trick | OneFootball

Darwin Nunez scored a first-half hat-trick as Liverpool thrashed Stoke City in a behind-closed-doors friendly on Sunday.

The Premier League champions stepped up their pre-season preparations with a comfortable win over the Championship club.

Arne Slot’s side eased to victory, ahead of flying to Asia for their pre-season tour that includes clashes with AC Milan and Yokohama FM.

There was a first Liverpool appearance for Florian Wirtz, who provided two assists on his debut after arriving from Bayer Leverkusen in a British record transfer deal.

Nunez, who scored during Liverpool’s first friendly win over Preston North End this month, continued his impressive summer form. The Uruguay international scored three times before the break, with teenager Rio Ngumoha also on target with a deflected strike.

Nunez’s goals come amid speculation surrounding his future with the 26-year-old linked with an exit. Several Saudi Pro League sides are interested in the forward, Liverpool have agreed a €90m deal to sign Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt this weekend.

Federico Chiesa added a fifth for Liverpool after half-time, turning in from Cody Gakpo’s centre. The Italian has been left out of Liverpool’s pre-season tour squad as he explores an exit.

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