Liverpool fans are eagerly anticipating their first opportunity to see Arne Slot’s team in action as they take on Real Betis in their first friendly match in the USA. While the Reds suffered a 1-0 defeat to Preston in a closed-door friendly earlier this summer, this match will mark the first chance for supporters to witness Slot and his team live. It is an exciting prospect for fans to see a new man in the dugout and get a glimpse of what the future holds for Liverpool under his management.
The match will be broadcast on LFC TV and LFC TV GO, providing fans with the option to watch it live or catch up on the post-match reaction and analysis on This Is Anfield. The website will have a live blog running from midnight (BST), keeping fans entertained and up-to-date with all the action.
In terms of player involvement, Slot is expected to give every first-team player at least 45 minutes of game time, similar to their previous friendly against Preston. This approach aims to ensure that the key players are match-fit for the upcoming season. While Andy Robertson will not be participating due to his injury from the Euros, every other outfield player should see some action in the next three matches.
Diogo Jota will join the squad on Thursday but will not take part in the first friendly. The squad that has traveled to the USA includes goalkeepers Kelleher, Jaros, Pitaluga, and Davies; defenders Quansah, Van den Berg, Phillips, Nallo, Bradley, Tsimikas, Chambers, and Beck; midfielders Szoboszlai, Jones, Endo, Elliott, Bajcetic, McConnell, Morton, Stephenson, and Nyoni; and forwards Salah, Carvalho, Doak, Gordon, Koumas, and Blair.
Slot recently spoke about transfers, Robertson’s injury, the talented young players he has inherited, and the possibility of signing Darwin Nunez. He acknowledged the challenge of finding players who can match or surpass the current team’s quality and availability. Slot expressed confidence in the existing squad but hinted that new signings could still happen in the future.
The match against Real Betis will take place at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the home of the Pittsburgh Steelers. The stadium has a capacity of 68,400, but the number of attendees is expected to be lower due to the high ticket prices. The cheapest ticket for the game is £58 ($75), which, when combined with travel costs for US fans, makes it an expensive friendly to attend. Tickets for the upcoming matches against Arsenal and Manchester United are even more costly. In comparison, a ticket for the friendly against Sevilla at Anfield on August 11 will only cost £27 for adults.
Aside from being a chance for fans to see Slot on the touchlines, this match will also be the first friendly for his new coaching staff. First assistant coach Sipke Hulshoff, newly appointed coach John Heitinga, lead physical performance coach Ruben Peeters, and goalkeeper coach Fabian Otte will all be present in the dugout.
Interestingly, this match also provides an opportunity for a late goodbye to former Liverpool goalkeeper Adrian. After leaving the club at the end of his contract, Adrian secured a move back to his first club, Real Betis. He has been training with the Spanish side during pre-season and is expected to be involved in the squad for this match. This will be a chance for the players and Liverpool supporters in attendance to bid farewell to Adrian, who did not receive a formal send-off at the end of last season.