Yokohama v Liverpool live: Friendly team news and build-up with Hugo Ekitike handed Reds debut

The 28-year-old has signed a four-year contract with the German champions and will replace Leroy Sane in Vincent Kompany’s squad.

Liverpool had rejected a first offer of £58.5m before accepting an improved bid after Bayern maintained their interest and the former Porto player wanted to go.

He starts alongside fellow new arrivals Florian Wirtz, Milos Kerkez and Giorgi Mamardashvili.

Liverpool XI: Mamardashvili; Bradley, Van Dijk, Konate, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Szoboszlai, Wirtz; Salah, Ekitike, Gakpo.

After today’s match in Japan, Liverpool will have one more set of friendly fixtures before they open to new season with the Community Shield match against Crystal Palace at Wembley on 10 August.

The remaining friendly fixture is a double-header against Athletic Bilbao on 4 August. Both games will take place at Anfield, with the first kicking off at 5pm BST and the second at 8pm BST.

Here are how Liverpool have fared in pre-season so far:

13 July: Preston 1-3 Liverpool – Deepdale Stadium, Preston

20 July: Liverpool 5-0 Stoke – AXA Training Centre, Liverpool (behind closed doors)

26 July: Liverpool 2-4 AC Milan – Kai Tak Sports Park, Hong Kong

Luis Diaz gave up a shirt worn by some of Liverpool’s previous greats two years ago. He swapped from the No 23, donned by a young Robbie Fowler and then Jamie Carragher, for the more iconic No 7. He offered to personally reimburse fans who had bought the old shirt.

The probability now is that he won’t be making a similar offer. Diaz is giving up the number made prestigious by Kevin Keegan, Kenny Dalglish and Luis Suarez, trading the red shirt of Liverpool for the red of Bayern Munich. He had first asked to leave in 2024. He is getting his wish a year later.

Diaz won’t go down as one of Liverpool’s definitive No 7s; though his departure could allow someone else – Florian Wirtz, maybe – to be one.

Darwin Nunez is a doubt for this match after missing the defeat against Milan, but Reds fans could see new signing Hugo Ekitike for the first time after the Frenchman missed that game.

Alexis Mac Allister who could be in contention after returning to full training, while players including Rio Ngumoha will be looking to impress once more.

The match is scheduled to kick off at 11.30am BST on Wednesday, 30 July, 2025 at the Nissan Stadium in Yokohama, Japan.

Viewers in the UK can watch the match live on LFCTV, with coverage starting at 10.30am. Subscribers can also watch online via All Red Video, with a monthly subscription costing £4.99.

Liverpool take on Yokohama F. Marinos in a friendly in Yokohama on Wednesday morning, with Reds fans hoping to see more of their new signings after encouraging cameos last time out.

Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez and Giorgi Mamardashvili all made appearances in an entertaining match against AC Milan in Hong Kong, and though Arne Slot’s side fell to a 4-2 defeat, the Dutchman will be encouraged by what he has seen so far.