Luis Diaz scores twice as Liverpool beat Sevilla 4-1 at Anfield

Liverpool triumphed 4-1 over Sevilla in the first of their back-to-back home friendlies on Sunday afternoon.

Diogo Jota opened the scoring with a stunning volley after 30 minutes, followed by a quickfire brace from Luis Díaz before halftime.

Sevilla responded with a goal from Peque Fernández, but substitute Trey Nyoni restored Liverpool’s three-goal lead soon after.

The Reds will now look ahead to a behind-closed-doors match against another La Liga side, Las Palmas.

Liverpool took to the field under blazing sunshine for their first appearance of the new season at Anfield, marking the debut of head coach Arne Slot.

Five players made their pre-season debuts, including Trent Alexander-Arnold, Alisson Becker, Díaz, Alexis Mac Allister, and Virgil van Dijk.

Slot’s side nearly created an early opportunity in the third minute when Mohamed Salah’s pass found the onrushing Díaz, only for Sevilla goalkeeper Ørjan Nyland to make a crucial clearance.

Sevilla had a golden chance to take the lead just before the quarter-hour mark.

Stanis Idumbo intercepted Jarell Quansah’s pass and found himself one-on-one with Alisson, but he blazed his shot high into the Kop.

Díaz and Salah both had attempts off target before Liverpool delivered a clinical spell to go three goals up by halftime.

The opener came from a spectacular left-footed volley by Jota after a Reds corner was lofted back into the Sevilla box.

Liverpool nearly doubled their lead soon after, but Tanguy Nianzou made a crucial interception to deny Salah, who had broken free and attempted to set up Jota.

However, the Reds found their second in the 37th minute.

Jota’s strong play led to a pass out wide to Díaz, who beat his marker and powered a shot high into the goal.

Liverpool added a third just before the break, with Dominik Szoboszlai unselfishly squaring the ball for Díaz to tap in from close range.

The second half began with chances at both ends.

Ryan Gravenberch was crowded out after some clever footwork, while Sevilla’s Djibril Sow sent a shot too centrally to trouble Alisson.

As the match reached the hour mark, Van Dijk met a Kostas Tsimikas corner with a header, but it lacked the power to find the back of the net.

Sevilla pulled one back through Peque Fernández, whose shot from just inside the area curled in off the right post.

Liverpool’s response was swift.

A clearance from Sevilla fell to Nyoni, who struck a sliced shot into the bottom corner to restore the three-goal cushion.

Salah nearly added a fifth in the closing moments, but Nyland made a smart save to tip his curling effort around the post.

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