Liverpool’s new-look team under manager Arne Slot secured a 2-1 victory over Premier League rivals Arsenal in their pre-season match in Philadelphia. Mohamed Salah opened the scoring in the 13th minute, followed by a goal from Fabio Carvalho in the 34th minute. Arsenal’s Kai Havertz pulled one back for his team in the 40th minute. Despite both teams making changes in the second half, the tempo dropped, and no further goals were scored.
One player who stood out for Liverpool was Harvey Elliott. The 21-year-old, who is looking to make a breakthrough this season, had an impressive performance in the attacking midfield role. He provided two excellent assists, one for Salah’s goal and another for Carvalho’s goal. If Elliott can continue to perform well under Slot’s new system, he could potentially earn a call-up to the England national team.
On the other hand, Arsenal’s lack of a clinical striker was evident in this match. They had several chances to score but failed to convert them. Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli both missed good opportunities, and later in the game, Havertz, Fabio Vieira, and Eddie Nketiah also missed decent chances to equalize. This raises questions about whether Arsenal should invest in a new striker or rely on their current forwards to step up their game.
Slot’s approach with Liverpool is noticeably different from Klopp’s. He encourages his team to take more risks in possession, which can lead to mistakes. This was evident in the match, as Liverpool saw errors from goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher and midfielder Curtis Jones result in shooting chances for Arsenal. On the other hand, Arsenal looked physically strong and sharp, sticking to their familiar style under manager Mikel Arteta. Arteta aims to further evolve their style of play with the recent addition of Italian defender Riccardo Calafiori.
Overall, the match showcased Liverpool’s new style under Slot and highlighted the need for Arsenal to improve their finishing. Both teams have important preseason fixtures ahead, with Liverpool facing Manchester United and Arsenal participating in a friendly tournament against Bayer Leverkusen and Lyon.