Liverpool approached the start of the 2024-25 Premier League season with a 2-1 win over supposed known foes Arsenal at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.
[MORE: Liverpool vs Arsenal Stats – FotMob. com]
Both groups returned without a number of key players as they rested and recovered from their appearances at Euro 2024 and the Copa America, but Liverpool were notably the smarter team in the first half, when both groups were largely made up of starters. They were quick in transition after winning the ball and played through Arsenal’s midfield and defense, which were missing Declan Rice and William Saliba.
Mohamed Salah scored the first goal in that same situation, when Diogo Jota headed the ball to Harvey Elliott, who temporarily looked up the field and put Salah through the Arsenal defense with a better pass. Salah stopped the last defender and shot low. Shot at the far post in the 13th minute.
Elliott backed up the scorer of Liverpool’s second goal in the 34th, this time opting for a smart pass over the byline to find Fabio Carvalho from 8 yards. Carvalho’s first half was great to beat Karl Hein and double the lead.
The 2-0 lasted just six minutes, until Kai Havertz instinctively deflected Martin Odegaard’s deflected pass past Caoimhin Kelleher.
Below you will find line-ups, video highlights and live updates from the pre-season friendly between Liverpool and Arsenal in Philadelphia.
Martin Odegaard worked very well in the box on the right side of the penalty area, but his shot/pass was deflected off his left foot. No problem, because he bounced right to Kai Haverz, who implemented a cool touch to finish. .
Another piece of individual quality bordering on Harvey Elliott’s brilliance. He picked up the ball outside the penalty area and looped a ball over the top of the Arsenal defence and in the direction of Fabio Carvalho. The young Portuguese’s touch had to be skilful, and it was.
A long ball from Caoimhin Kelleher went over Diogo Jota, on the trail of Harvey Elliott, who discovered the pass from the Arsenal defence, and Mohamed Salah went on the run. Perhaps the Gunners will be a little missing William Saliba in the centre of defence tonight.
Arne Slot has already shown that Diogo Jota will only play the first half, as tonight he will make his debut in the 2024-25 preseason. The same is likely to be true for Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhaes.
Kelleher – Bradley, Quansah, van den Berg, Tsimikas – Szoboszlai, Jones, Elliott – Salah, Carvalho, Jota
Hein – White, Kiwior, Gabriel, Zinchenko – Partey, Odegaard, Havertz – Nelson, Martinelli, Jesús
(C) 2023 NBCUniversal