Darwin Nunez showed Liverpool manager Arne Slot that he still has plenty left to offer by scoring a hat-trick in a secret pre-season friendly against Stoke City on Sunday. Liverpool welcomed the Championship side to the AXA Training Centre as they continued the preparations for their Premier League title defence.

Reports suggest Liverpool are closing in on a deal for the French striker that could surpass Eintracht’s club-record sale of €95 million including add-ons. Speaking after the match, head coach Dino Toppmöller strongly hinted that Ekitiké may have already played his final game for the club.

Newcastle may have been strangely boosted by Liverpool closing in on Ekitike despite their own interest amid an assumption the Reds would then not move for their supposed dream No.9 Alexander Isak, but the Sweden international’s absence from the Magpies’ 4-0 friendly defeat to Celtic on Saturday raised eyebrows.

The Safer Choice for Liverpool’s Title PushThis is an abridged version; the full article is available free on our ‘It Was Always… Liverpool’ Substack page:Proven Output in the

Arsenal eye Gyokeres agreement; Liverpool to sign Ekitike; Man Utd finalising Mbeumo deal - Majors deals set to be confirmed as summer business steps up

Liverpool have submitted a €90 million (£78m/$105m) bid to Eintracht Frankfurt for French striker Hugo Ekitike. Sky Sports have revealed that an agreement in principle has been established between Liverpool and Eintracht Frankfurt,

Liverpool are far from finished spending this summer, and could take their investment beyond £300m after links to an England star drew positive support.

Alexander Isak 'ready to join Liverpool' as Newcastle handed Hugo Ekitike nightmare - In a remarkable power play, Liverpool are confident that both strikers want to join