LINCOLN FINANCIAL FIELD, PHILADELPHIA — Liverpool notched their second win on American soil with a 2-1 victory over Arsenal in Philadelphia, sending a clear signal ahead of the upcoming season.
Mohamed Salah was the first to strike, marking what could be the beginning of a prolific spell under Arne Slot. The Egyptian ace capitalized on Harvey Elliott’s brilliant through ball, covered significant ground with ease, and delivered a composed finish despite intense Arsenal pressure.
Elliott continued to impress by providing a key pass for Liverpool’s second goal. His deft chip found Fabio Carvalho, who finished with confidence. Arsenal managed to pull one back before halftime through Kai Havertz, and they ramped up the pressure in the second half. Despite their efforts, Liverpool held their ground. Here’s how the players performed in this pre-season clash.
Winners:
- Harvey Elliott: Stood out with two exquisite assists, making a strong case for a starting role in the season opener against Ipswich.
- Mohamed Salah and Fabio Carvalho: Both were consistently dangerous throughout the first half. Salah’s finish was clinical, and Carvalho’s goal demonstrated his poise and skill.
Losers:
- Caoimhin Kelleher: Had a shaky start with problematic distribution but played a crucial role in the first goal. This performance might be attributed to pre-season rust.
- Wataru Endo: Remained on the bench again, and with Curtis Jones currently preferred in the No.6 role, Endo’s future could be uncertain if a better offer comes in.
Player Ratings:
- Caoimhin Kelleher (6): Had an unsettled start but made a significant contribution to the opening goal.
- Conor Bradley (6): Showed effort on the right but struggled against Martinelli’s attacks.
- Jarell Quansah (8): Delivered stellar defensive work, denying Arsenal a likely goal.
- Sepp van den Berg (7): His early game awareness thwarted a dangerous Arsenal play, boosting his chances for next season.
- Kostas Tsimikas (6): Was effective going forward but faced difficulties defensively and could have done better on Havertz’s goal.
- Curtis Jones (6): Worked diligently in midfield but Liverpool might need a more specialized No.6.
- Dominik Szoboszlai (6): Supported the defense well, intercepting crucial balls before Arsenal could capitalize.
- Harvey Elliott (8): His passes for the goals were exceptional, strongly advocating for a starting position.
- Mohamed Salah (8): Finished off a precise pass from Elliott with his usual flair, showing he’s ready for the season.
- Diogo Jota (6): His first pre-season appearance saw some offside issues and a missed chance that should have been converted.
- Fabio Carvalho (8): Displayed impressive skill early and executed a confident finish, showcasing a promising partnership with Elliott.
Substitutes:
- Wataru Endo (6): Didn’t look completely comfortable with the ball but showed resilience late in the game. Doesn’t seem to be a priority for Slot at the moment.
- Luca Stephenson (6): Faced increased danger from Arsenal in the second half but managed to rise to the occasion.
- Trey Nyoni (6): After an outstanding performance against Real Betis, had a quieter game but nearly scored late on.
- Ben Doak (6): Had limited impact as Liverpool spent much of the second half defending.
- Stefan Bajcetic (6): Encountered a less challenging game after substitutions, which led to a more disjointed performance.
- Harvey Blair (6): Showed flashes of promise on his limited opportunities.
- Nat Phillips (6): As always, gave a solid effort, though he is likely to move on this summer.
- Owen Beck (6): Had a decent performance on the left side, with his future role in the new season being one to watch.
- Tyler Morton (6): Provided steady midfield support and demonstrated his experience in a largely youthful side.
- Amara Nallo (6): Had a solid performance as a young defender, effectively managing his responsibilities.
