Mohamed Salah steered the Reds into an early lead, finishing with trademark aplomb from Hugo Ekitike’s cut back across the area.
Oihan Sancet levelled for the opposing side on 29 minutes following a set-piece, but Cody Gakpo restored the home side’s advantage when he converted from close range shortly after half-time.
Athletic Club then equalised for a second time, Maroan Sannadi finding the net via a deflection with a header at a corner.
The touch had come off Gakpo inside the area; however, the Netherlands forward would once again put Liverpol in front by drilling a low shot across goal and under Unai Simon in what would prove the game’s deciding moment.
Team
Five of Liverpol’s summer arrivals were handed Anfield debuts for the club, with Ekitike, Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez, Giorgi Mamardashvili and Florian Wirtz named in the XI.
Virgil van Dijk missed out due to illness, so Salah took the captain’s armband. Conor Bradley was also absent due to a minor injury.
Liverpool: Mamardashvili, Endo, Konate, Kerkez, Wirtz (Wright, 74), Szoboszlai, Salah, Gakpo, Ekitike (Chiesa, 56), Frimpong (Nallo, 71), Gravenberch.
Unused subs: Pecsi, Morrison, Davidson.
