Arab News Japan

TOKYO: Liverpool came from behind to secure a 3-1 victory over the Yokohama F Marinos at Yokohama International Stadium on Wednesday.

Goals from Florian Wirtz, Trey Nyoni and Rio Ngumoha offset a strike by UENAKA Asahi to give Liverpool the victory in a fast-paced match on a hot night in Yokohama.

Mohamed Salah was the star of the uneventful first half, but the fans were also keen to see Hugo Ekitike in action alongside record signing Wirtz.

Yokohama had a single chance in the first half but started much more positively in the second half.

The Reds could have gone ahead in the 52nd minute when a brilliant ball by Salah found an unmarked Darwin Nunez, but the Liverpool striker’s volleyed toe-poke went wide.

The Marinos capitalized soon after with a superb sweeping move, finished off by Uenaka after a lovely through ball.

A massive cheer went up in the 58th minute when Liverpool’s Yokohama-born ENDO Wataru replaced Virgil Van Dijk as a defender and captain.

Soon after, Liverpool drew level when a fine break by Curtis Jones in the 62nd minute saw the ball reach Salah. The Egyptian controlled the ball and passed it – with a slight deflection off Jones – to Wirtz, who finished with a low shot.

Five minutes later, Liverpool wase ahead. Jeremie Frimpong found space on the right and smashed in a powerful cross that Trey Nyoni guided home acrobatically to make the score 2-1.

In the latter stages, 16-year-old Ngumoha sparkled on the left wing and got his reward with a beautifully taken goal in the 86thminute, cutting in from the left and finishing with a powerful right-foot shot.

Liverpool’s Florian Wirtz was named the Man of the Match and praised the atmosphere in the stadium.