Liverpool 2-1 Arsenal: Slot's Reds look slick as Elliott stars
Goals from Mohamed Salah and Fabio Carvalho helped Liverpool put their Premier League rivals to the sword.
Liverpool claimed a 2-1 victory over Premier League rivals Arsenal in the second game of their pre-season tour of the United States.
The Reds opened the scoring when Mohamed Salah finished off a lightning quick back-to-front move early in the first half.
And they were two ahead shortly after, Fabio Carvalho volleying a delicious Harvey Elliott ball over the top home.
Kai Havertz reduced the deficit before the break, poking home from close range after a somewhat fortuitous break of the ball.
But there would be no further goals for the Philadelphia crowd to enjoy as Arne Slot’s side landed a pre-season blow on a side they spent the last campaign battling for the title.
Who played?
Liverpool: Kelleher; Bradley (Stephenson, 46), Quansah (Phillips, 71), Van den Berg (Nallo, 71), Tsimikas (Beck, 71); Elliott (Bajcetic, 71), Jones (Endo, 46), Szoboszlai (Morton, 71); Salah (Doak, 71), Jota (Nyoni, 46), Carvalho (Blair, 71).
Unused subs: Jaros, Pitaluga, Davies, Konate, Gravenberch, Chambers, Gordon, McConnell, Koumas.
Reds put on encouraging performance
It is often rightly pointed out that results in pre-season don’t really matter given these games are all about finding fitness and sharpness ahead of the new campaign.
But Liverpool could not expect to stumble through this tour playing poorly and then turn things on when the Premier League starts later this month having suddenly adapted to the demands of a new manager.
And so it was hugely encouraging to see them not only beat a title hopeful with far more household names available but do it while largely playing well.
Although largely restricted to a first half that preceded a host of substitutions, there was some seriously slick football on show from Arne Slot’s men at times.
They also largely restricted Arsenal’s threat, pressing well and springing back into a solid shape whenever they couldn’t nick the ball high up.
It may only be pre-season, but there are signs of promise that will ease the nerves of supporters going into a new era.
Selection sends Wataru Endo message
It is, of course, possible to read too much into pre-season team selections, especially those made when a large chunk of your squad is yet to return from extended breaks necessitated by international competition.
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