Liverpool played through a shocking pitch to take a 3-1 friendly win against Yokohama F. Marinos, with a number of their new faces catching the eye.Yokohama F. Marinos 1-3 LiverpoolPre-Season Friendly (4), Nissan StadiumJuly 30, 2025Goals: Uenaka 55′; Wirtz 62′, Nyoni 68′, Ngumoha 87′1. Pitch to blame for patchy performanceIt might sound a little like looking for excuses, but it is hard to put the mixed nature of Liverpool’s performance here down to anything other than the pitch.From minute one, the Reds seemed to struggle to trap the ball cleanly or move it with the speed necessary to unsettle any defence.And that is particularly problematic when you are the team looking to dominate the ball, rather than simply hitting on the counter.As such, you doubt Arne Slot will be overly concerned by the struggles Liverpool endured in possession at times during this game, particularly as they won anyway.Of course, he will also expect more when they get back on the pristine Anfield surface next week. 2. Encouraging start for EkitikeHugo Ekitike‘s unofficial Liverpool debut was arguably the most interesting aspect of the first half, and the Frenchman can be happy with his efforts across a 45-minute outing.There were some nice touches in build-up, a decent early understanding with his teammates, and a cheeky back-heeled finish that so nearly brought a first goal for the club.Most importantly, Ekitike looked like a player in possession of both the physical and technical qualities necessary to succeed in the Premier League.With just one more friendly to go before the new season begins, it will be interesting to see if the striker can stake a claim for a starting spot straight from the off.This brief glimpse suggests he is certainly capable of doing so. 3. Szoboszlai causing selection headacheSince Florian Wirtz signed for Liverpool, Dominik Szoboszlai has emerged as the man to most frequently miss out on fans’ imagined strongest starting XIs for next season.But the Hungarian’s performances in pre-season are showing why it would be folly to so quickly discard a player who was so crucial to last year’s success.Here, Szoboszlai once again showed how capable he is in a deeper role, producing several line-breaking passes, winning his challenges and snuffing out counter-attacks with his powerful running.And it is the latter point that is perhaps most crucial because it is hard to imagine that specific quality being provided by either Alexis Mac Allister or Ryan Gravenberch.Still, there are only so many spots for starters in midfield, and so how Slot works his way through that dilemma will be interesting because, on this form, Szoboszlai surely cannot be left out. 4. Frimpong is not just paceIt can be concerning when, as has been the case with Jeremie Frimpong all summer, a player’s qualities are boiled down to little more than electric pace.Yet the Netherlands international showed in this game that he is so much more than just a runner down that right-hand side.There was, of course, the assist for Trey Nyoni‘s excellently taken goal, but also plenty of delicate touches and exchanges with teammates to put himself in a position to use that famous speed.And most encouragingly, also a lot of defensive graft that showed Frimpong to be a genuine option at right-back, rather than just further up the pitch.Liverpool look to have signed another good one. 5. How can you ignore Ngumoha?Surely one of these pre-season games will pass without Rio Ngumoha deserving a mention as a major talking point?The fact is, the 16-year-old merits being highlighted because, yet again, he showed just how special a talent Liverpool have on their hands.This performance would have been exciting enough had he left it at completing dribble after dribble to tear the Yokohama defence apart.But he had to cap things off by scoring a remarkable solo goal in which he drove the entire back four into their own box before cutting inside and coolly driving home.We are starting to wonder just how much an impact Ngumoha’s emergence will have on Liverpool’s transfer plans – he is that good.