Liverpool delivered an impressive performance for a sold-out audience in Columbia, South Carolina, convincingly defeating their arch-rivals Manchester United with goals from Fabio Carvalho, Curtis Jones, and Kostas Tsimikas.
This victory completes a perfect tour for Arne Slot, who led the team to wins over Real Betis and Arsenal in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, respectively. The Dutch coach heads home feeling satisfied.
Slot will be pleased to welcome back several key players this week, including Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk, and Darwin Nunez, who are expected to return to training soon.
On the other hand, Erik ten Hag faces several challenges for United just a week before the Community Shield match against Manchester City.
Lewis Steele from Mail Sport examines the key talking points from Columbia.
Fabio Carvalho took just ten minutes to open the scoring for Liverpool against Man United
Marcus Rashford had several chances to equalise for United when they were only 1-0 down
Kostas Tsimikas put a seal on Liverpool’s third win from three games on their pre-season tour
Carvalho staking his claim
Fabio Carvalho is among the players with uncertain futures at Liverpool after spending last season on loan at RB Leipzig and Hull City. However, based on his performances during this tour in America, the Portugal-born talent is certainly making a case to remain at the club.
The 21-year-old is keen to stay at Anfield and has conversed with new manager Slot regarding his preferred position. Carvalho believes he excels as a No. 10, while Slot suggests he may be more effective on the wing.
He has featured in all three matches in the States on the left wing, impressing with solid displays and scoring against both Arsenal and Manchester United in the Rivals in Red series. He maintains possession well and frequently finds himself in threatening positions.
There is significant interest in Carvalho for a permanent transfer this summer, with EPL teams and numerous European clubs keeping an eye on him. Nevertheless, following an encouraging tour, there’s no reason he can’t integrate into Slot’s plans.
Carvalho has now scored two goals in as many games as he looks to impress boss Arne Slot
United kids are all right
United featured two young starters in this match who showcased solid performances, giving Ten Hag valid reasons to consider them for his first-team plans this season, with Harry Amass and Toby Collyer impressing.
Amass has emerged as one of the major highlights for United during their American tour, presenting a strong case to feature in next weekend’s Community Shield against Manchester City at Wembley.
The 17-year-old left back joined United from Watford last summer after being scouted for an extended period. He is a dynamic, swift defender, displaying calmness in possession and mature positioning despite his inexperience at high levels.
Amass faced a significant challenge during this friendly against the formidable Mohamed Salah. It is unjust to critique the young player for losing a few duels to Salah, as many seasoned left backs have struggled against him as well.
However, his overall performance was commendable. Additionally, Collyer was a continuous source of energy in midfield, showing great coverage of the field. He could refine his off-the-ball work, but the 20-year-old emerges as another promising talent.
Ethan Wheatley also made an appearance, and he remarked last week: ‘The club, with its history, is about nurturing many academy players. Seeing the likes of Kobbie (Mainoo), who played with us less than a year ago and is now in the first team, inspires us and motivates us. The pathway is open.’
Toby Collyer started the match well, driving at Liverpool’s defence on numerous occasions
Harry Amass (left) once again put in a solid display at left-back for Erik ten Hag’s Man United
Gravenberch set for better season?
Ryan Gravenberch experienced a challenging first year in England, failing to secure a consistent spot in starting lineups, particularly for key matches. Nevertheless, the Dutch midfielder might flourish under Slot’s guidance.
This match marked his first appearance in the new coaching era, where he performed admirably in a deeper midfield role. He actively sought the ball, pressed vigorously, and drove forward with a determination that belied his limited fitness.
Gravenberch has a strong rapport with Johnny Heitinga, his former coach at Ajax, who has now joined Slot’s coaching staff. Heitinga’s role includes conducting individual training sessions for players.
It would be surprising if Gravenberch, 22, is not one of the many players Slot and his team have earmarked for potential development. He has significant room for improvement and could be a standout performer this season, especially as his style aligns well with Slot’s system.
Ryan Gravenberch (left) started in a deeper role than he used to play while under Jurgen Klopp
Ten Hag’s No 9 problems
A notable concern for United was their sluggish and disorganized defense. Additionally, the absence of a traditional No. 9 was evident, with Jadon Sancho acting as the primary striker for much of the match.
Rasmus Hojlund is sidelined for approximately six weeks due to injury, and new recruit Joshua Zirkzee, who joined from Bologna, has not yet linked up with the squad in the U.S.
This left Sancho, a winger by nature, as the sole forward from the start. He had some notable moments but ultimately felt out of place and didn’t pose a significant threat.
Young striker Wheatley is an option for Ten Hag and has been working closely with coach Ruud van Nistelrooy. ‘He was probably one of the best strikers we’ve had at the club, and since his arrival, I’ve been trying to learn from him,’ he mentioned this week.
However, there’s a prevailing sense that United’s forward options appear undercooked as they approach the new season.
Jadon Sancho started up top for United but struggled to have a real impact on the game
Columbia cashes in on England’s biggest rivalry
The city of Columbia, South Carolina, is quite different from the bright lights of Philadelphia and Los Angeles, which were the recent locations for these teams. The 78,000-capacity Williams-Brice Stadium can comfortably accommodate more than half of the city’s total population of 139,000.
Primarily used for college soccer and home to the Carolina Gamecocks, this event marked the first time a Premier League team has played in this venue. The presence of England’s leading clubs is a significant achievement for the event organizers.
Both teams were eager to play here as it broke up their return journey, with flights scheduled back to the northwest of England immediately after the match. Moreover, this game offered a substantial financial incentive for both clubs, with tickets priced at a premium.
Columbia was ranked 76th on a Nielsen list evaluating North American cities for marketing opportunities, making this a leap into uncharted territory. However, the local economy in South Carolina’s capital is poised for a considerable financial uplift.
The Williams-Brice Stadium put on a show as England’s two biggest football clubs squared off
Hotels that averaged around $60 per night on Thursday saw prices surge to approximately $1,000 by the weekend, while Uber drivers and local restaurants capitalized on the event to increase their rates. Reports indicated that fans traveled from all 50 states to attend the match.
Those fans may have been concerned when a torrential rainstorm swept through the stadium about two hours before the match, with frequent lightning and thunder rumbling across the city.
