Liverpool kicked off the Arne Slot era with a commanding victory over the Spanish team Real Betis in Pittsburgh.
Hungary’s captain Dominik Szoboszlai netted the sole goal of the match, while Liverpool utilized 23 players in a productive session for Slot’s squad as they engaged with fans for the first time after last week’s closed-door defeat to Preston.
Here, Mail Sport highlights five key takeaways…
Dominik Szoboszlai scored the only goal of the game as Liverpool beat Real Betis in Pittsburgh
Curious Formation
As we discuss our observations, it took onlookers a good 15 minutes to decipher Liverpool’s formation for this match. Slot quickly dismissed any claims that his system differed from Jurgen Klopp’s—though the differences were clear.
Throughout most of the game, Liverpool employed a 4-2-4 arrangement, with Szoboszlai and Harvey Elliott both taking on No 9 roles, whether described as ‘false’ or otherwise. The Hungarian skipper made his mark on the scoreboard.
While the execution wasn’t flawless, the early indicators from this formation—experiment or not—were encouraging. Liverpool moved the ball through the lines with sharp, vertical passes, making their pressing structure more resilient.
Two midfielders dropped deeper to shield the defense while also initiating attacks. Mohamed Salah and Fabio Carvalho stretched the game wide, enabling the two No 9s to find space as Real Betis’s defense struggled to maintain their marking assignments.
When the wingers cut inside, full backs Kostas Tsimikas and Conor Bradley—who started—provided plenty of energy on overlapping runs, with Northern Irishman Bradley particularly shining in the first half.
Arne Slot’s Liverpool formation resembled an attacking 4-2-4 shape for most of this match
Jones’ Misfortune
Curtis Jones expressed his confidence on Wednesday, viewing Slot’s appointment as a fresh opportunity to elevate his career following a strong pre-season.
Unfortunately, his optimistic words became a jinx as he departed the game after just 30 minutes due to what seemed like a hamstring injury. It was distressing to witness him leave the pitch in discomfort, though the injury did not appear severe.
Liverpool hopes it’s nothing significant, but given that Jones had just mentioned his eagerness to secure a starting position, it cast a shadow over his first public showing of the summer.
Curtis Jones only lasted 30 minutes with what appeared to be a hamstring injury
Nyoni Shines Bright
Jones’ departure paved the way for young Trey Nyoni, who celebrated his 17th birthday just last month. The former Leicester City youth player, signed by Liverpool a year ago, made his debut from the bench in last season’s FA Cup and got another taste of first-team action in this match.
Nyoni was proactive in possession, playing a crucial role in the opening goal with a well-placed pass to Szoboszlai, who connected with Salah to score. Beyond that, his energy in midfield was infectious.
By the time he exited midway through the second half, Nyoni was in contention for the man of the match honors. Every touch seemed to lead to something positive.
Since acquiring him from the Foxes, Liverpool’s coaching staff have been impressed with Nyoni, who received considerable first-team exposure in the second half of the previous season.
Slot mentioned that several youngsters surprised him during training, and Nyoni is undoubtedly one of the standout performers. Although he may appear young and small in stature, he has immense potential if nurtured correctly.
Trey Nyoni replaced Jones in midfield and grabbed his opportunity with an impressive display
The Quest for a No 6
It is hardly a revelation that Liverpool requires a No 6, as their struggles in defensive midfield have been evident for over a year. However, can the Reds contend for the Premier League without enhancing that aspect of their squad?
Wataru Endo had a challenging outing, losing possession significantly during the match. Had Real Betis capitalized on their chances, Liverpool might have faced an uphill battle.
Endo, the Japanese captain, was brought in for £16.2 million last August after Klopp initiated a major midfield overhaul. While he proved dependable last season, he now appears uncertain compared to the caliber available to Liverpool’s Premier League competitors.
He was substituted in the second half for Tyler Morton, who spent last season on loan at Hull City in the Championship. Morton, who has childhood ties with Everton, previously shared with Mail Sport that he admired Xabi Alonso’s playing style.
“I used to practice my long passing with my dad in the park; I idolized Xabi Alonso,” he said in an interview last January. “Steven Gerrard was my hero, but Alonso was in a league of his own.”
Morton had a decent second-half performance—not quite reaching Alonso’s heights, but showcasing some impressive passes. It was also heartening to see Stefan Bajcetic receive minutes after enduring a tough injury period over the last 18 months.
Wataru Endo struggled in midfield, highlighting the need for Liverpool to sign a No. 6
Backroom Staff Integration
As this was Slot’s debut public match with Liverpool, it was fascinating to observe the pre-match warm-up routines and the activities of his new coaching team along the sidelines.
At the home venue of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Slot was as animated as an NFL coach, wildly gesturing and vocally guiding his players. He frequently summoned individuals for brief discussions.
Prior to the game, Slot’s newly appointed assistant Johnny Heitinga took an active role in leading the warm-up exercises. Another new addition, Sipke Hulshoff, was engaged with players and rarely took a seat throughout the match.
Slot’s newly-hired assistants Johnny Heitinga and Sipke Hulshoff (left) were both animated
Ruben Peeters, the new performance head, is reportedly meticulous in managing players’ workloads, and Liverpool rotated a total of 23 players, with young defender Amara Nallo being the only squad member not to see any playing time.
James McConnell missed out due to a minor injury but is expected to return shortly, while Andy Robertson, though present on tour, won’t participate due to a slight ankle ligament injury. The Scotsman engaged in individual training at Liverpool’s base in Pittsburgh on Friday.
Diogo Jota underwent fitness assessments yesterday after arriving in Pittsburgh on Thursday. The Portuguese forward is unlikely to feature in Philadelphia but may play in South Carolina, health permitting.
