Liverpool faced Athletic Bilbao in an unprecedented preseason double-header at Anfield on August 4, 2025, staging two separate matches within five hours of each other. The unique format saw the clubs meet for the first time since 1983, with the fixtures serving as Liverpool’s final tune-up before the Community Shield against Crystal Palace the following week.
When and Where is Liverpool FC vs Athletic Bilbao?
The double-header took place on Monday, August 4, 2025, at Anfield, Liverpool’s iconic home ground. The first match kicked off at 5pm BST (17:00 GMT), with the second fixture scheduled for 8pm BST, approximately five hours later.
The format allowed both clubs to field different lineups across the two games, giving managers an opportunity to evaluate more squad members ahead of the competitive season. Liverpool were completing their preseason preparations following a tour of Asia, where they recorded wins over Preston North End and Yokohama F. Marinos, though they suffered a 2-4 defeat to AC Milan on July 26. Athletic Bilbao arrived at Anfield having lost their last three preseason games, including a 1-2 reverse against Racing Santander.
Both clubs used the double-header to test squad depth ahead of their respective league campaigns. Liverpool’s Arne Slot rotation policy meant fresh legs for the second match, while Ernesto Valverde dealt with a depleted defensive unit at Athletic.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Date | Monday, August 4, 2025 |
| Venue | Anfield, Liverpool |
| Game 1 Kickoff | 5pm BST (17:00 GMT) |
| Game 2 Kickoff | 8pm BST |
| Competition | Preseason Friendly |
| Status | Completed |
Key Insights
- Liverpool’s last encounter with Athletic Bilbao before 2025 occurred in November 1983 during European Cup competition
- The clubs met in a friendly as recently as August 2021, drawing 1-1
- Athletic Bilbao finished fourth in La Liga during 2024-25, earning Champions League qualification with 70 points
- Liverpool failed to keep a clean sheet in any of their three Asia preseason matches
- Athletic Bilbao’s defensive situation was compounded by Yeray Álvarez’s provisional suspension following a doping test
- The double-header format was designed to maximise playing time for squad players on both sides
How to Watch Liverpool vs Athletic Bilbao Live
The matches were not broadcast on traditional television networks in most regions, which is typical for preseason friendlies. Sky Sports provided live textual updates and a match blog throughout both games, allowing supporters to follow the action in real time.
Liverpool FC’s official website and YouTube channel hosted pre-match build-up content and post-match analysis. The club’s digital platforms served as the primary source for confirmed lineups and match reports.
Given the unusual scheduling of two matches in one evening, attending supporters required separate tickets for each fixture. The matches formed part of Liverpool’s preparations for the Community Shield clash against Crystal Palace on August 10, 2025.
Liverpool vs Athletic Bilbao Head-to-Head Record
The historical record between these two clubs reveals a limited but storied history. Exactly four official matches have been contested between Liverpool and Athletic Bilbao, with the most recent coming in November 1983 during European Cup competition.
That encounter ended 1-0 in Liverpool’s favour, with Ian Rush scoring the decisive goal at Anfield on November 2, 1983. The victory proved decisive in progressing Liverpool through the competition during an era when the club was establishing its European pedigree.
Friendly meetings have been slightly more frequent. The most recent came in August 2021, ending in a 1-1 draw. Athletic Bilbao have won one friendly, drawn one, and lost two others against Liverpool across non-competitive fixtures. The clubs did not meet between 1983 and this double-header in August 2025, representing a 42-year gap in official competition.
Historical Meeting Timeline
| Date | Competition | Result | Notable Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| November 2, 1983 | European Cup | Liverpool 1-0 Athletic Bilbao | Ian Rush goal |
| August 2021 | Friendly | 1-1 Draw | Most recent meeting before 2025 |
| August 4, 2025 | Preseason Friendly | Liverpool 4-1 Athletic Bilbao | Game 1 of double-header |
Predicted Lineups and Team News
Liverpool manager Arne Slot indicated before the matches that squad rotation would be central to his approach, with different players expected to start in each game. No major injury concerns were reported in the Liverpool camp ahead of the fixtures.
The predicted starting lineup for Game 1 featured Mamardashvili in goal, with a defensive four of Frimpong, Konaté, Tsimikas, and Robertson. Szoboszlai and Endo were expected to anchor midfield, while the attacking threat came from Doak, Wirtz, and Gakpo supporting striker Darwin Núñez in a 4-2-3-1 formation.
The double-header format gave younger players and summer signings valuable minutes in a competitive environment. Rio Ngumoha’s early goal in Game 1 suggested the youth pipeline remains strong at Anfield.
Athletic Bilbao manager Ernesto Valverde faced a more challenging selection situation. Key defenders Aitor Paredes and Unai Egiluz were unavailable through injury, with Egiluz suffering his issue after just 28 minutes in the previous match against Racing Santander. Yeray Álvarez was added to the unavailable list following a provisional suspension imposed after a doping test.
The absence of three defenders meant Athletic were forced to blood younger options. Their offensive threats remained centred on the Williams brothers—Nico and Iñaki—and midfielder Oihan Sancet. The predicted Game 1 lineup featured Padilla in goal behind Lekue, Vivian, Rego, and Yuri, with De Galarreta and Prados in midfield support for attackers including Iñaki Williams.
Confirmed Match Results
Game 1 concluded with Liverpool running out 4-1 winners. The scoring began inside the opening minutes, with Rio Ngumoha finding the net at 2′ and Darwin Núñez doubling the lead three minutes later. An own goal from Álex Padilla just before halftime gave Liverpool a commanding lead, which Harvey Elliott extended in the 58th minute. Gorka Guruzeta scored a consolation goal for Athletic Bilbao in the 76th minute.
Separate reports indicated a 3-2 Liverpool victory in what appeared to be either combined coverage of both matches or an alternate account of the fixtures, with Cody Gakpo scoring twice and Mohamed Salah missing a penalty.
Betting Odds and Predictions
Pre-match betting odds were not published in detail across available sources, though Liverpool were considered clear favourites given their home advantage and the more positive trajectory of their preseason results. EA Sports FC 25 simulations prior to the matches predicted Liverpool dominance in both encounters.
Sports Mole analysts projected a 3-1 Liverpool victory when considering the fixture as a single match. SI.com’s predictions were split across both games, forecasting a 2-0 win for Liverpool in Game 1 and a 3-1 result in Game 2. The consensus pointed toward Liverpool’s superior squad depth as the deciding factor.
Preseason results carry limited predictive value for competitive fixtures. Both clubs prioritised fitness building and tactical experimentation over winning, which explains the relatively open nature of the games despite the lopsided scoreline in Game 1.
Athletic Bilbao’s poor run of preseason form—losing three consecutive matches—further dented confidence in their ability to compete, despite finishing fourth in La Liga during the 2024-25 season. Their defensive absences made the task considerably more difficult against a Liverpool side looking to fine-tune their approach before the Community Shield.
What Comes Next
The double-header against Athletic Bilbao represented Liverpool’s final preseason outing before facing Crystal Palace in the Community Shield on August 10, 2025. That fixture marks the official start of the competitive season for the Premier League side, with questions remaining about how the fixture calendar shapes up for clubs involved in early-season competitions.
Athletic Bilbao, having concluded their preseason preparations, will now turn their attention to La Liga, where their fourth-place finish guarantees another season of Champions League football. Ernesto Valverde must address the defensive absences before their competitive return.
Summary
Liverpool and Athletic Bilbao wrote a new chapter in their sparse but memorable history with an unprecedented double-header at Anfield on August 4, 2025. The English club’s 4-1 victory in Game 1 demonstrated their quality despite squad rotation, while the second match provided additional opportunities for evaluation. Liverpool now shift focus to the Community Shield against Crystal Palace, with Athletic Bilbao preparing for another Champions League campaign in La Liga.
Frequently Asked Questions
What were the betting odds for Liverpool vs Athletic Bilbao?
Specific odds were not published across available sources. Liverpool were considered clear favourites based on their home advantage and more positive preseason form compared to Athletic Bilbao’s three consecutive losses.
Is there a live stream for the match?
No dedicated live stream was confirmed for most regions. Sky Sports provided live textual updates and match blogs, while Liverpool FC’s official platforms shared lineups and post-match content.
What was the final score of Liverpool vs Athletic Bilbao?
Game 1 ended Liverpool 4-1 Athletic Bilbao. Separate reports mentioned a 3-2 Liverpool win, though this appeared to reference combined coverage or alternate match accounts.
Who scored the goals in Game 1?
Liverpool’s goals came from Rio Ngumoha (2′), Darwin Núñez (5′), an Álex Padilla own goal (42′), and Harvey Elliott (58′). Gorka Guruzeta scored Athletic Bilbao’s consolation at 76′.
When did Liverpool last face Athletic Bilbao before 2025?
The clubs’ most recent official meeting before August 2025 was in November 1983, when Liverpool won 1-0 in the European Cup thanks to an Ian Rush goal.
What is Athletic Bilbao’s recent form?
Athletic Bilbao lost three consecutive preseason matches before arriving at Anfield, including a 1-2 defeat to Racing Santander. Despite this, they finished fourth in La Liga during 2024-25 with 70 points.
Who are the key players for each team?
Liverpool’s attacking threat centred on Darwin Núñez, with younger players like Rio Ngumoha making early impacts. Athletic Bilbao relied on the Williams brothers—Nico and Iñaki—and Oihan Sancet for creativity.
What happened in the second match?
Both clubs fielded different lineups in the second match. Reports mentioned a 3-2 Liverpool win with Cody Gakpo scoring twice, though specific details remained less consistent across sources compared to Game 1.
Oliver William Davies Thompson is a staff writer for MetroReport.uk, covering city news, transport, housing and urban policy. He works under Editor-in-Chief Clara Whitfield, following the newsroom standards for sourcing, verification and fact-checking set out in our editorial policies.