The Uruguayan striker, whose future at Anfield remains uncertain amid interest from clubs across Europe and Saudi Arabia — especially following Liverpool’s signing of Hugo Ekitike — continued his impressive pre-season form. Núñez had also found the net in the 3-1 win over Preston North End last weekend.
His first-half hat-trick, along with a goal from teenage winger Rio Ngumoha, gave Arne Slot’s side a commanding 4-0 lead at halftime against the Championship side on Sunday.
Liverpool’s record signing, Florian Wirtz, made his debut in the match, starting just behind the attacking trio of Mohamed Salah, Núñez, and Ngumoha. The German international featured for the first time since completing his £116 million move from Bayer Leverkusen.
Federico Chiesa was among the second-half substitutes and added the fifth goal to cap off the dominant performance.
Slot’s squad is set to depart for their pre-season tour of Asia on Sunday evening. Their first stop will be Hong Kong, where they’ll face AC Milan next Saturday at the newly built 50,000-seat Kai Tak Stadium.
Liverpool will then travel to Tokyo, marking the club’s first visit to Japan since the 2005 Club World Cup final, when Rafael Benítez’s side lost 1-0 to São Paulo.
Their next match will be against local side Yokohama F. Marinos — currently sitting at the bottom of the 20-team J1 League — at the 72,000-capacity Nissan Stadium on July 30.