Darwin Nunez hits hat-trick for Liverpool in thumping 5-0 friendly win over Stoke with Federico Chiesa also among the goals as record signing Florian Wirtz makes his debut

As reported by The Athletic, the Uruguayan struck a quick-fire treble against the Championship side, playing in a front three which included Mohamed Salah and 16-year-old Rio Ngumoha. British record £116m signing Wirtz started behind them wearing the Red of Liverpool for the first time. A goal from teenage sensation Ngumoha saw Arne Slot's side race into a 4-0 half-time lead, before 10 changes were made at the break and substitute Federico Chiesa added a fifth goal.

Nunez has been the subject of much transfer talk throughout the summer, but he has now scored four goals in just two halves of football in pre-season so far. He paid tribute to the late Diogo Jota with his celebration after a goal against Preston North End last week. Liverpool are reportedly set to bring in Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt, so the Uruguayan's future at Anfield remains up in the air.

Liverpool will soon head off for their pre-season tour of Asia, which begins with a fixture against AC Milan at Hong Kong's Kai Tak Stadium. A clash against J1 League side Yokohama F Marinos then follows in Tokyo, in the Reds' first trip to Japan in 20 years since they lost to Sao Paolo in the Club World Championship final.

Whether or not Nunez remains at Anfield come their opening Premier League fixture against Bournemouth on August 15 remains to be seen. The Reds have a tough challenge on their hands in defending their league title, but their transfer business this summer has shown the club's ambition to create a new dynasty.