Just days before the start of the new Premier League season, Liverpool took the opportunity to host two pre-season friendlies at Anfield on Sunday.
That gave new coach Arne Slot the chance to put the finishing touches on his lineup ahead of the season opener against Ipswich on Saturday.
The questions that needed to be answered were who would play at No. 6, where Trent Alexander-Arnold would be deployed, and who would start in attack.
A 4-1 win over Sevilla, in front of a sold-out crowd, was followed by a 0-0 draw against Las Palmas behind closed doors. James Pearce and Andy Jones reflect on what we learned from the two games.
Trent Alexander-Arnold was quick to remind everyone of his passing ability. Within minutes of pulling on the Liverpool shirt, he impressed the Anfield crowd with his vision and range of passing.
The English foreigner capped his performance with a handball (a deep cross from the inside right channel) for Jota’s first goal (see below).
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After a summer of debate over how Alexander-Arnold can be used for any club and country, Slot’s plan seems to be for his defender to act as an orthodox right-back, but with the freedom to go outside. Internal and influential matches. than in the role of inverted full-back that he occupied last season.
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The 25-year-old has entered the final year of his contract and agreeing new terms with the right-back will have to be one of Liverpool’s most sensible priorities as the new crusade approaches. Its price cannot be underestimated.
Andy Jones
Diogo Jota endured so many misfortunes last season. On 3 occasions, he suffered morale-boosting injuries that destroyed his momentum and led to just 19 starts for Liverpool in all competitions in 2023-34.
The former Wolverhampton Wanderers striker was then largely ignored by coach Roberto Martinez as Portugal battled for the European Championship.
Since returning to the pitch against Arsenal in Liverpool Philadelphia’s recent trip to the United States, Jota has looked like a guy on a mission.
Sharp, strong and full of convictions, he has led the line brilliantly in pre-season matches and looks certain to start next Saturday’s Premier League opener against newly promoted Ipswich Town.
He is the top finisher on Slot’s team and he demonstrated it in a spectacular opening of the scoreboard against Sevilla.
– Liverpool FC (@LFC) August 11, 2024
Alexander-Arnold’s first cross was inviting and Jota unleashed a volley with the most sensible left foot that flew into the most sensible corner. It reminds me of Robbie Fowler in his heyday, as he made anything so complicated seem almost routine. “One of my best, of course,” he smiles. “I hit it well with my left foot and it ended up being a wonderful goal. “
Jota continued to torment Sevilla’s overburdened defensive line by scoring the second goal for Diaz and then bringing in Dominik Szoboszlai, who put the third on a platter for the Colombian. A tough challenge from Gonzalo Montiel left Jota in a pile, but he gave up and continued fighting.
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His 15 goals for Liverpool in all competitions in 2023-34 (one every 114 minutes he was on the pitch) are impressive considering how much football he missed. Imagine what he could accomplish if Slot and his team could keep you in shape. There is no doubt about Jota’s quality.
Jaime Pearce
Since arriving at Liverpool in January 2022, one of the marks surrounding Luis Diaz has been his goal, but in his first appearance since returning from a long break after the Copa America, Diaz scored twice (see any of the goals below) in the first. opposite side to Sevilla.
Díaz finished last season with thirteen goals and five assists in 51 games, a smart return but one that a player of his caliber is capable of surpassing. In total, he scored 24 goals in 98 appearances, which equates to approximately one goal each and every 4 games.
– Liverpool FC (@LFC) August 11, 2024
The 27-year-old has been the subject of speculation over his departure this summer. Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain were linked and the hypothesis grew when Liverpool were in talks with Newcastle over the signing of Anthony Gordon in June.
Only a significant offer of more than £50m would prompt Liverpool to promote the winger and no offers have been submitted from the Spanish side. The signing of Dani Olmo from RB Leipzig makes a move for Diaz even more unlikely.
– Liverpool FC (@LFC) August 11, 2024
The forward still has 3 years left on his contract and it will be a season to progress in expanding his production. Cody Gakpo’s performances on the Netherlands’ left wing at the Euros have elevated the festival to title.
Head Coach Slot hopes his bright, dynamic goals are a sign of things to come.
Andy Jones
As Liverpool continue their pursuit of Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi, Slot will most likely move out of their current group for the No. 6 spot against Ipswich.
Considering Sunday’s two friendlies, it looks like Ryan Gravenberch is in pole position and his performance against Sevilla further encouraged the Dutch to thrive. He has the technical quality and ball progression that Slot wants, but he still wants to be tested on defense. .
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Joining him in midfield as Alexis Mac Allister number 8, suggesting Slot sees him in the more complex double pivot role. If Slot had seen him in the number 6 role, it would have been the best opportunity to take a look at him.
Wataru Endo started there at the time backing up Las Palmas, but was unable to take the opportunity to bounce back after a tricky trip to the United States where he was reduced to cameos after a poor performance against Real Betis in the opening match. He has struggled to recover and, despite Liverpool turning down Marseille’s £11. 8m offer earlier this summer, it would not be surprising if he left Anfield before the end of the month.
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Gravenberch is not the best solution to the number 6 conundrum and Liverpool, who are prioritizing the arrival of a new one, have reaffirmed this, but they seem to have the upper hand at the moment.
Andy Jones
Slot fielded what was a second line formation opposite Las Palmas and the only one to claim anything before the serious stuff starts next weekend was Harvey Elliott.
Andy Robertson made his first pre-season appearance after recovering from an ankle problem that slowed him down at the Euros. He hit the post from the edge of the area, he has had an hour under his belt and he will take advantage of this week to check and convince. Slot who is up to the task of landing Kostas Tsimikas’ soft green striker at Ipswich.
Darwin Nunez and Gakpo were also back in action, but both looked rusty, while Ibrahima Konate looks ready to start the season where he finished last: Jarell Quansah in the pecking order of captain Virgil’s central partners, van Dijk.
Elliott, however, has been the standout player on the United States tour and is well suited to the No. 10 role in Slot’s 4-2-3-1 system.
There were some great touches from the 21-year-old when he was at the center of the few openings Liverpool created against Las Palmas. Slot played Szoboszlai in this position the day before.
Elliott is desperate to be more than just an effect on the player on the bench this season. He couldn’t have done much more in the offseason to get Slot’s attention.
Jaime Pearce
On the number 6 position: “The ones I tried there have to do with the players I had at my disposal. We most commonly saw Wata and Ryan there, and in the last match, even Dominik was a little further down.
“I have a pretty smart idea of which player is the most compatible right now, in my opinion. But we only worked with some players for a week. Sometimes you think he is the most productive number 6, but the combination with the other two may not work very well.
“This does not mean that those who played today will play next week or the following weeks. We are in a scenario in which we constantly compare which is the most productive composition for us. Today you have noticed it, but that does not mean that it will be the same next week.
Saturday 17 August: Ipswich Town (A), Premier League, 12:30 p. m. BST, 7:30 a. m. Eastern Time