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Liverpool just beat Athletic Bilbao 3-2 in a friendly match on the evening of August 4. |
In an era where top clubs are constantly travelling between the US, South Korea or Singapore with friendly matches passing by in a blur, Liverpool playing two consecutive matches against the same opponent - Athletic Bilbao - right at Anfield unexpectedly brings a rare "pure football" feeling.
Memories of summer tours tend to fade quickly. Bournemouth playing West Ham in Atlanta with more empty seats than spectators, Arsenal playing AC Milan in Singapore, Liverpool beating Yokohama F. Marinos in Japan – all are games that can be forgotten before fans can even remember the starting lineup.
But as the season enters its climax, when coaches complain about the tight schedule and players are stretched on many fronts, it is those seemingly harmless friendlies that start everything.
In that context, the two-game, one-night format at Anfield could suggest a more sensible way forward. No more intercontinental flights, no more matches in the scorching Asian heat or time zone differences that leave players unable to recover.
The first match was a showcase for the young and infrequently played names, notably Rio Ngumoha - a talented 16-year-old - who scored and assisted Darwin Nunez in the first 5 minutes. Also on the pitch was Harvey Elliott, who are likely to leave the club before the summer transfer window closes.
But it wasn’t just football. It was also Liverpool’s first return to Anfield since the tragic loss of Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva. The game was stopped at 20 minutes – Jota’s shirt number – for a standing ovation. A quiet but emotional moment, when football became a language of gratitude and connection.
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Mohamed Salah scores for Liverpool against Athletic Bilbao. |
The second game of the evening was an opportunity for manager Arne Slot to field a near-full-strength team - likely to be the one that will start the Community Shield against Crystal Palace at the weekend. Despite missing Alisson and Van Dijk, Liverpool were still dominant. Mohamed Salah opened the scoring, and Cody Gakpo sealed the result with a goal to make it 3-2.
Athletic Bilbao, who will play in the Europa League next season, did not field an easy team to bully. Both Williams brothers were on the pitch, along with Spain's number one goalkeeper, Unai Simon. However, the power of the stands, combined with Liverpool's energetic squad, decided the result in the first half.
Despite being a working day, Anfield was packed. Adidas’ new jersey – boasting “moisture management” technology – was on display in every frame. A bit of a gimmick, but also a testament to the vitality and appeal of the Merseyside club.
Playing two games on the same day was once seen as evidence of the absurd “bloat” of the friendly calendar. But in the end, it was a solution that allowed both clubs – with large squads – to control the volume of exercise, test their strength, commemorate the past and bond with the future, all within a reasonable time frame.
Compared to the lacklustre performances in America or Asia, this was a friendly with real depth - technical, emotional and strategic. One evening at Anfield, two games, and perhaps a direction worth considering for the big clubs come summer.
Source: https://znews.vn/liverpool-mo-ra-loi-di-moi-cho-giao-huu-he-post1574209.html
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