Liverpool began their U.S. preseason tour on a high note with a 1-0 victory over Real Betis in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, marking Arne Slot's first official match as head coach. The match, held at the Acrisure Stadium, saw Dominik Szoboszlai score the only goal in the first half, ensuring a win for the Reds in their friendly encounter.
The breakthrough came in the 34th minute when Szoboszlai, the Hungarian international, exchanged a slick one-two with Mohamed Salah before calmly placing a shot into the far corner of the net. This goal set the tone for the match and highlighted the promising connection between Szoboszlai and Salah.
Arne Slot utilized the friendly to evaluate his traveling squad extensively, with 23 players getting a chance to impress on the field. However, the game was not without its concerns. Curtis Jones suffered a knock in the first half, prompting his substitution for young talent Trey Nyoni. The 17-year-old Nyoni made a notable impact during his time on the pitch, contributing to the build-up that led to Szoboszlai's goal.
Other standout performances included those of Ben Doak and Connor Bradley, who both shone during their time on the field. Their performances will be crucial as Slot continues to shape his squad ahead of the upcoming season.
Liverpool's preseason tour continues with a match against Arsenal in Philadelphia on Wednesday, followed by a clash with Manchester United in South Carolina on Saturday. These fixtures will provide further opportunities for Slot to assess his squad and build on the promising start against Real Betis.
