Arne Slot‘s first correct pleasant in command of Liverpool ended with a 1-0 win over Actual Betis in Pittsburgh, with some encouraging indicators from the Reds.
Liverpool 1-0 Actual Betis
Pre-season Pleasant, Acrisure Stadium (Pittsburgh, PA)
July 27, 2024
Purpose: Szoboszlai 34′
A constructive and inspiring begin to preseason
It was a little bit of a stuttering first half show because the gamers have been shedding the cobwebs and discovering their toes.
An error strewn first 20 minutes or so fortunately went unpunished and a very good transfer that includes Trey Nyoni, Dominik Szoboszlai and Mo Salah noticed our quantity eight end with aplomb.
Whereas enjoying in a unique ‘place’ right here, Szoboszlai’s function this coming season needs to be a lot completely different to that underneath Klopp. “The centre-mids have been all the time lads who have been runners and extra disciplined,” stated Curtis Jones this week and Szoboszlai needs to be one to profit from the modified midfield setup.
After the purpose, the Reds took management and actually by no means let go. Even the introduction of a number of children didn’t disrupt the Reds’ momentum and, in truth, helped to take care of and even enhance it.
Altering formations
It was an odd beginning arrange, even given the sparsity of senior gamers at our disposal.
The defence was a typical form, however forward of them, it was troublesome to determine who was enjoying deep, who have been the superior midfielders, and aside from Mo, who have been the forwards?
As the sport progressed, the techniques and formations remained fluid. Given we have been additionally lacking a number of prime class first teamers, it was too early – and there have been too many adjustments – to get any sort of definitive thought of how Arne Slot will set the crew up when the season begins.
“Throughout the season you will note us play with an actual striker, however at this second we’ve nobody accessible,” Slot defined post-match.
“That’s possibly out of necessity, however for the remainder, the fashion of play, with making an attempt to construct out from the again, that’s our fashion.”
READ: Arne Slot explains shock formation vs. Actual Betis – and why we gained’t see it usually!
Trey Nyoni shines – however Slot’s appropriate
We had seen little or no of 17-year-old Trey Nyoni previous to this sport, however what a efficiency it was from him.
His introduction (after half an hour resulting from damage to Jones) paid speedy dividends because it was his intelligent ahead ball to Szoboszlai that created the area for the one purpose.
Inside ten minutes he had performed a number of creative ahead passes by the traces; it was a function of his sport all through his forty minutes on the pitch. One other was his capacity to search out time and area.
It’s too simple to go overboard too quickly, however it’s a incontrovertible fact that many nice midfielders have that trait and to see it in proof as we speak in a single so younger was extremely encouraging.
Fortunately, Slot rightly performed down expectations post-match, saying: “He did nicely, however he simply turned 17, his physique has to develop – and we’re actually cautious with him.
“You possibly can see his high quality, however you can too see his physique nonetheless wants a while to develop to play a Premier League degree. However he confirmed some attention-grabbing issues as we speak.”
Midfield – a constructive conundrum?
It was virtually a ‘first alternative’ beginning midfield trio with Szoboszlai, Endo and Jones supplemented by Harvey Elliott.
It’s unfair to be too crucial given it was the primary aggressive preseason pleasant, however it’s additionally honest to say that a few of the performances have been a little bit disappointing within the first half.
Szoboszlai was neat and tidy and naturally scored the one purpose however was additionally usually on the fringes of the sport. Elliott was hit or miss all through his time on the sector and Jones regarded ponderous and unsure till finally coming off injured.
However then their replacements got here in and fully modified the dynamic and power of the midfield engine room. Lots of the children did themselves proud and will need to have finished their future probabilities no hurt in any respect.
Kids the largest constructive?
Maybe probably the most encouraging take away from this sport must be the extremely spectacular performances of a number of children. Many caught the attention – in truth most of them caught the attention!
Stefan Bajcetic was strong upon his welcome returnin the ultimate half hour. Ben Doak at instances skipped previous his markers with consummate ease. Tyler Morton performed his function with authority. These are just some of the highest performers on present.
Conor Bradley was my man of the match and Jarrell Quansah had a sometimes spectacular outing – each simply 21 years outdated.
READ: Arne Slot explains shock formation vs. Actual Betis – and why we gained’t see it usually!
