EIGHT takeaways from the weekend’s pre-season matches

Ben Bloom highlights some of the key moments from the latest pre-season matches, including Darwin Nunez's hat-trick, Matheus Cunha's start at Man Utd and Mohammed Kudus' electric debut for Spurs and more.

Nunez scores three in front of Wirtz

Much of the recent Darwin Nunez noise coming out of Anfield concerns a potential move away from the Premier League champions. Well, if the Uruguayan striker is trying to catch Arne Slot’s eye he is going about it the perfect way.

Having scored a week earlier in a pre-season win against Preston North End, Nunez struck a 14-minute hat-trick on Sunday to put Liverpool 3-0 ahead against Stoke City after just 20 minutes. Other goals in an eventual 5-0 win came courtesy of teenage winger Rio Ngumoha and Federico Chiesa.

Highlights from Liverpool's win against Stoke

The game was also notable for the debut of club-record signing Florian Wirtz, who lined up behind a front three of Mohamed Salah, Nunez and Ngumoha. Wirtz had missed the game at Preston, but started here in midfield alongside Curtis Jones and Trey Nyoni. Interestingly, Dominik Szoboszlai played at right-back.

All Premier League clubs' pre-season fixtures and results

Diouf can replace Kudus threat

The prospect of the upcoming season without Mohammed Kudus – who has made the short switch to Tottenham Hotspur – might not seem particularly appetising for most West Ham United fans, but they might have a new attacking player to pin their hopes on.

Just 20, El Hadji Malick Diouf does not have a lot of first-team experience under his belt after signing from Slavia Prague earlier this month. But if his debut is anything to go by, West Ham are in for a treat.

The Senegal international came on at half-time in the 3-1 win over Swiss side Grasshopper on Saturday, immediately impressing at left wing-back with his scintillating pace and high energy.

He was unfortunate not to gain an assist from a number of pin-point crosses, and was denied a goal only by a goalline clearance.

“He did well,” said Graham Potter. “You can see what he brings to the team. He attacked their backline a lot and got in some good crossing positions, he looked dangerous and played with enthusiasm. He’s only been with us a few days, but the first signs are really positive.”

Cunha makes encouraging start

Premier League fans will already be familiar with Matheus Cunha’s ability after the Brazilian’s standout campaign with Wolverhampton Wanderers last season, but expectations will naturally rise after his big-money move to Manchester United.

While he was unable to help his new side to victory – drawing 0-0 against Leeds United – his debut was sufficient to earn the club’s fan-voted Player of the Match award.

His most notable moment was telling. Presented one of United’s best chances to fire on target, Cunha had the ball nicked off his toes by Chido Obi, who fired wide when off balance. Cunha immediately berated the youngster, who accepted the admonishment.

The incident not only showed Cunha’s determination to succeed, but also his immediate senior figure status and the high standards he will uphold.

“I think Matheus showed what we need,” said Ruben Amorim. “That he is a player when he receives the ball between the lines can be really aggressive in the direction of the opponents. We watched that during last season in a different team so we expect the same thing”

Cunha will have another chance to display his qualities, with Man Utd travelling to the United States to participate in the Premier League Summer Series, against the likes of AFC Bournemouth, Everton and West Ham starting from 27 July.

United given Leon dilemma

Among other conundrums that Amorim will look to resolve over the coming weeks is the future of Diego Leon.

Like Cunha, the young Paraguayan made his United debut against Leeds having signed from Cerro Porteno this month.

Leon started at left wing-back and quickly found things tough going when caught out by a couple of Leeds overlapping runs. However, he grew into the game as it wore on, displaying the physicality that had earned him a move to Old Trafford.

“We have to understand that the kid came from Paraguay, it’s his second week at Manchester United,” said Amorim. “He did really well. He’s learning things, he’s powerful, he’s going to be a very good player.”

This pre-season is crucial in United’s coaching staff determining whether to send Leon out on loan to gain experience or keep him as a likely back-up to Patrick Dorgu.

Sobering debut for Elanga

This first appearance in a Newcastle United shirt will swiftly be forgotten when he makes his competitive debut in the Premier League, but Anthony Elanga would not have envisaged such a crushing 4-0 defeat in his maiden outing for Eddie Howe’s side.

It came against Celtic, where Newcastle were largely outplayed on a sobering afternoon that saw Alexander Isak absent while his pre-season minutes are managed. That meant the Swedish link-up between Elanga and Isak will have to wait, as Denmark’s William Osula led the line.

There was no end joy in the form of any goals, but Elanga showed enough glimpses of speed and intricate ball control when introduced on the right side of attack at half-time. His willingness to attack the Celtic defence is something Newcastle fans will hope to see more of as the season progresses.

Welcome to Frank’s new Spurs era

As ever when a new manager takes charge of a club, intrigue immediately surrounds what formation they will use and how they will deploy their new troops. Initial signs – based on a 2-0 win at Reading – are that there will be no great revolution at Spurs, at least not in terms of basic structure.

Using a 4-2-3-1 system, Thomas Frank opted for two deep-lying midfielders playing behind a No 10, who pushed higher when out of possession. With James Maddison absent, that role was filled by youngsters Alfie Devine and Jamie Donley, as Kudus caught the eye from the right with his sharpness and drive.

Highlights of Spurs' win at Reading

Frank has not hidden the value he places on set-pieces, and the team notably practised various dead-ball situations on the pitch shortly before kick-off. Both Spurs goals – scored by Luka Vuskovic and Will Lankshear – came following Kudus corners.

Centre-back Vuskovic, 18, has joined Spurs two years after agreeing a deal to move from Croatian side Hajduk Split. He was perhaps the standout figure as he looks to convince the Spurs hierarchy he is ready for first-team action.

Lively Adingra can be key for Sunderland

There were a host of new faces as Sunderland began their Portuguese pre-season trip with a 1-1 draw against Sevilla, including an unfamiliar five-strong midfield.

New signings Simon Adingra, Chemsdine Talbi, Noah Sadiki and Habib Diarra lined up alongside Enzo Le Fee, whose loan deal has become permanent this summer.

Of the quintet, it was former Brighton & Hove Albion winger Adingra who arguably impressed most on debut after switching from the south coast to the far north.

His speed and energy was evident from the outset, stretching play down the left flank, hunting down long-balls and driving infield to seek out shooting opportunities. There was no notable moment to celebrate, but the Ivorian suggested he may well provide much of Sunderland’s attacking threat on their Premier League return.

Truffert arrives at the double

Replacing Liverpool's Milos Kerkez will be no easy task at Bournemouth, but the club are adept at seeing important players move on while continuing to progress.

The man tasked with filling Kerkez’s boots is 23-year-old France left-back Adrien Truffert, who joined last month from Rennes. The Olympic silver medalist racked up close to 200 appearances for the French club – including in the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League and UEFA Conference League – and ensured Bournemouth fans will instantly know his name thanks to two goals in a 6-2 win against Bristol City.

Antoine Semenyo, Marcus Tavernier, Evanilson and Dango Ouattara also scored ahead of Bournemouth’s trip to the United States for the Premier League Summer Series against Everton, Man Utd and West Ham.