Liverpool 3-2 Athletic Club Player Ratings: Mo Salah Rated 8.2 as The Reds Beat Athletic Club in Back-to-Back Club Friendlies At Anfield

After a humiliating 4-1 defeat in the first game, Athletic Club appeared keen to turn the tables in the return face-off against reigning Premier League champions Liverpool in a two-leg Club Friendly on August 4, 2025, at the iconic Anfield. The hosts started off on a dominant note, as they did in the first fixtures. This time, Mohamed Salah scored the opener for Liverpool with a brilliant left-footed finish, slotting the ball home from the bottom right corner. Athletic Club didn't take much time to equalise, with Oihan Sancet bringing the visitors back to the contest, converting an assist by Dani Vivian. Despite some enthralling football, no team was able to take the lead in the first half, with the Liverpool vs Athletic Club score ending at 1-1.

The second half had a slow start, but Cody Gakpo set the tone by registering the second goal for Liverpool in the 55th minute. However, Gakpo made a blunderous error and scored an own goal a few moments later, as Athletic Club saw the game coming to a level. Gakpo took very little time to compensate as he once again put Liverpool in front, making it 3-2 for the Anfield dwellers. In the 73rd minute, Athletic Club's Yuri Berchiche picked up an unfortunate injury, causing a delay in the match as he was replaced by Dunabeitia. As the match continued, Liverpool made a couple of changes, bringing on Will Wright and Amara Nallo. After Salah missed a penalty, the game ended 3-2 in favour of Liverpool.

Here are Liverpool vs Athletic Club Player Ratings.

Liverpool Player Ratings

Here are Liverpool player ratings from the Liverpool vs Athletic second club friendly:

Goalkeeper

Mamardashvili- 5.9/10

It was not a great day for Mamardashvili, who conceded a couple of goals while in the first friendly, Athletic Club managed a single strike, with Freddie Woodman playing as the keeper for Liverpool.

Defenders

Konate- 6.7/10

Konate made a few impressive runs into the opposition box, while also showing off his defensive prowess, providing stability in the Liverpool backline. Konate also impressed with his passing abilities against Athletic Club.

Endo- 6/10

Endo looked good in terms of ball recovery and helped his team with some clearances. However, the Japanese defender was sluggish in both aerial and ground duels.

Kerkez- 6.5/10

Kekez won the most tackles in the second friendly match between Liverpool and Athletic Club.

Frimpong- 6.3/10

Frimpong failed to showcase his best form as the Dutch right back lacked passing. He, however, demonstrated his strength in ground duels.

Midfielders

Szoboszlai- 6.5/10

Szoboszlai was not at his best in the pre-season friendly against Athletic Club. He, however, delivered a few promising long-balls.

Gravenberch- 7.2/10

Took some glorious shots, but both were denied. Despite missing goals, Gravenberch played an influential role in the Liverpool midfield.

Mo Salah- 8.2/10

Salah broke the deadlock for Liverpool early in the first half and created several chances, linking up with Wirtz and Gakpo. In the second half as well, Salah invaded the opposition defense on several occasions. The Egyptian forward missed a penalty in the dying moments of the second half.

Florian Wirtz- 6.5/10

The German looked quiet in the first half. Despite creating two chances and attempting three shots, Wirtz was unable to find the net.

Cody Gakpo- 7.5/10

Scored the second goal for Liverpool early in the second half.

Forwards

Hugo Ekitike- 7.4/10

Provided the assist to Cody Gakpo for the second goal. Soon after, Ekitike was taken off, with Federico Chiesa replacing him on the forward line.

Manager

Arne Slot- 8/10

Arne Slot should be happy with how the pre-season ended as Liverpool comfortably overcame Athletic Club in both of the Club Friendlies.

Substitutions

Federico Chiesa- 6.5/10

Amara Nallo- 6.2/10

Will Wright- 6.5/10

Athletic Club Player Ratings

Here are Athletic Club Player Ratings from the first Club Friendly against Liverpool:

Goalkeeper

Alex Padilla- 5.5/10

Alex Padilla was the busiest goalkeeper between the two today. Even though he could not save the first two goals, he kept most of the dangers at bay with his saves.

Defenders

Inigo Lekue- 4.5/10

It was a below-average performance from Inigo Lekue. On multiple occasions during Liverpool attacks, his marking was not good enough, and his target defeated him. One big instance of it was during the Ben Doak goal.

Jon de Luis- 5/10

Even though Jon de Luis was not quick enough to follow the quick attacks from Liverpool at the beginning like his peers, he had better control of his defense line as the game went on. He had quite a few interceptions that were important.

Benat Prados- 4/10

Benat Prados was the first player in Athletic Club to be substituted today. Why does that matter? He was subbed off by the manager after 17 minutes into the game.

Andoni Gorosabel- 4.5/10

Similar to his defensive peers, Andoni Gorosabel also had a below-average game, especially in the first half, as the team struggled to keep up with the Liverpool press.

Midfielders

Mikel Vesga- 5/10

Mikel Vesga ensured 82% passing accuracy throughout the first half. He won almost half of his ground duels but managed to win all the aerial duels in the first half.

Alejandro Rego Mora- 5/10

Alejandro Rego Mora was booked with a yellow card in the first half. He had a total of 15 touches but made sure of 78% passing accuracy throughout the first half.

Alex Berenguer- 5.5/10

Alex Berenguer produced a couple of key passes for his team, but they had no end product. However, the midfielder ensured 82% passing accuracy throughout the first half.

Unai Gomez- 5/10

Unai Gomez played a versatile game today, as the player was seen dropping to defense right after the first goal. He had a total of 2 clearances and 1 interception in the first half.

Nico Serrano- 5.5/10

Nico Serrano had a total of 19 touches in the first half. He made one key pass but ensured 57% passing accuracy in the first half. Even though he could not create promising chances for his team in the first half, he looked sharp with the ball.

Forwards

Gorka Guruzeta- 5.5/10

Even though Gorka Guruzeta looked sharp in the game today, there was no end product for the forward in the first half, and he was pretty much kept at bay by the Liverpool defenders. He finally got his goal in the 76th minute.

Substitutions

Robert Navarro- 4/10

Robert Navarro came onto the game in the 17th minute to replace Prados.

Johaneko Louis Jean- 4/10

Johaneko Louis Jean came onto the match in the 73rd minute to replace Gorosabel.

Malcom Ares- 4/10

Malcom Ares came onto the game in the 73rd minute alongside Johaneko Louis Jean to replace Serrano.

Unai Vencedor- 4/10

Unai Vencedor came onto the match in the 73rd minute to replace Mora.

Peio Canales- 4/10

Peio Canale came onto the match in the 85th minute to replace Berenguer.

Manager

Ernesto Valverde- 4/10

Ernesto Valverde's substitutions did not work out for the manager as the gap between the two teams was too much for Athletic Club to chase.

Sportsdunia Player of the Match is Mohamed Salah.

How Liverpool vs Athletic Club 1st Club Friendly Panned Out?

If you missed the first 10 minutes of the first Liverpool vs Athletic Club first Club Friendly game on August 4, you missed out on a lot, as it took only 2 minutes for the Reds to take the lead. A sumptuous finish from outside the box from Rio Ngumoha at the Kop End gave Liverpool an early lead. A couple of minutes later, the lead doubled up as Ngumoha set up Darwin Nunez, which made the score 2-0. From the buildup to the finish, it was perfect team play. In the 41st minute, Ben Doak's dribbling was followed by a thumping shot from the wide right in the box made it 3-0. After the 1st half whistle, it was Liverpool 3-0 Athletic Club. After the 2nd half resumed, Harvey Elliott made it 4-0 for Liverpool with his left-footed shot from inside the box, assisted by Darwin Nunez. In the 76th minute, Athletic Club got one back as Gorka Guruzeta scored. The first friendly between Liverpool and Athletic Club ended 4-1 in favour of the Premier League side.