Liverpool recorded their second win in two games under manager Arne Slot on their pre-season tour of the United States with a 2-1 victory over Premier League rivals Arsenal in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Harvey Elliott impressed for the Reds by providing two superb assists to open up a usually solid Gunners defence.
The first was sent in by Mo Salah to open the scoring in the 13th minute before the midfielder then finished a beautiful lob into the box for Fabio Carvalho to volley home.
Kai Havertz did manage to score a close-range goal for Mikel Arteta’s side before the break, but Slot’s side held on to claim victory in a low-key second half.
Mail Sport’s Lewis Steele and Isaan Khan were in the US to watch the Reds beat Arteta’s side, and analyse what we learned from the clash.
Harvey Elliott (right) provided a beautiful assist for Fabio Carvalho (left) to score Liverpool’s second goal against Arsenal.
Mo Salah opened the scoring for the Reds as they beat Arsenal in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Martin Odegaard provided some magic in the build-up to the Gunners’ only goal of the game.
Elliott seizing his opportunity
Harvey Elliott told Mail Sport earlier this week that he was ready to step up as a frontman and play a pivotal role in Arne Slot’s plans and judging by this performance, the 21-year-old is not all talk.
The midfielder played as a number 10 for Liverpool and recorded two excellent assists. The first was a clever first-time pass to set up Mohamed Salah in front of goal, before adding another with a clever curling pass for Fabio Carvalho.
Elliott played more games than all but one Liverpool player last season but was limited in terms of starts. He feels he needs to improve this season and sees Slot’s arrival as a chance to start afresh.
As well as his goal contributions, Elliott constantly had the ball and looked dangerous, even attempting a Rabona pass to Luca Stephenson in the second half to show his confidence was sky-high.
With several key players missing for Liverpool, this pre-season tour has been a chance for back-up players like Elliott to prove to the new coaching regime that they are worthy of playing starring roles. After two positive performances in the United States, Elliott is certainly taking his chance.
Elliott, 21, is taking advantage of his opportunity in the system implemented by new head coach Arne Slot.
The value of the Dutch defender only increases
Liverpool defender Sepp van den Berg made a bizarre statement this week when he said the value of his head (believed to be around £20m) is too high, implying they could not afford to sell him.
PSV Eindhoven rejected an offer of around £10m this week following the defender’s fine campaign on loan at German club Mainz. Liverpool believe they have set a fair price for Van den Berg despite his comments.
Sporting director Richard Hughes has seen other moves in this transfer window involving young defenders, with Dean Huijsen, who has played fewer than 10 times in Serie A, moving from Juventus to Bournemouth and Taylor Harwood-Bellis to Southampton for £20m.
Liverpool therefore believe that £20m for Van den Berg is a reasonable fee after two seasons in the Bundesliga and two before that in the Championship. It is unclear whether the defender will be sold, especially after two very satisfactory pre-season games.
In this game, he had the ball and was a reassuring presence in Liverpool’s backline, and the 22-year-old also made some vital defensive moves. After this enjoyable trip to the United States, that £20m valuation could only go in one direction.
Sepp Van Den Berg has impressed in his two games at centre-back on the pre-season tour of the United States
Slot is happy to play
Elliott described Slot’s philosophy as a “typically Dutch style” earlier this week and he was right. It wasn’t exactly all-out football, but some plays, especially in the first half, were free-flowing attacking.
The players swapped positions on the left, right and centre. In the play, for example, Dominik Szoboszlai was a deep midfielder, but he also appeared on the flanks and made blistering runs into the box.
Elliott played as both a No. 10 and a No. 9, while Trey Nyoni appeared all over the field during his 45 minutes. The 17-year-old shined in Pittsburgh last week and had some good moments here as well.
But the most important thing about the evening was that Slot’s style is pleasing to the eye, fluid and upright. And it’s worth noting that if the system already looks reasonably polished, it will surely improve when the leading figures return to the AXA Training Centre.
The stifling heat and humidity in Philadelphia clearly took its toll in the latter stages as the game fizzled out. But the impeccable football displayed by Slot’s men gave Liverpool fans staying up late at home plenty of reasons to be excited for the near future.
Slot’s system is already easy to identify after his victories against Real Betis and the Gunners
Gunners midfield misses Declan Rice
This was the first game of Arsenal’s pre-season tour in which thoughts turned to a man who was not in the country: Declan Rice.
The midfielder is out, along with Bukayo Saka, Aaron Ramsdale and David Raya, having been given additional rest following England’s Euro 2019 defeat to Spain.
Especially in the first half, wave after wave of Liverpool attacks penetrated the middle with ease.
The lack of cohesion in the defensive line did not help (influenced by the lack of times that Jakub Kiwior, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Gabriel played together), but the main cause was in the midfield.
Thomas Partey’s job was to control the area in front of the defence and help out when needed.
He was repeatedly outnumbered in midfield and unable to contain Liverpool’s forward pressure, often leaving his defensive line exposed. And when he did need help out on the left, Zinchenko’s positioning meant that assistance was few and far between.
Of course, it is not defence or midfield (which unusually featured Kai Havertz) that Arsenal will be using much, if ever, this season.
But it was a reminder of Rice’s power.
Thomas Partey (left) struggled in midfield and left the defensive line exposed too often.
Mikel Arteta manages Jurrien Timber’s minutes
A surprising but wise decision: Jurrien Timber was not called up by Arsenal.
It was initially a surprise after the Dutchman’s performances in the previous two pre-season games against Manchester United and Bournemouth, where he played 63 and 62 minutes respectively.
The 23-year-old looked menacing and physically imposed himself on his opponents, not shying away from challenges.
An especially good sign after such a long-term injury. The physical and mental scare has clearly healed.
It would therefore have been interesting to see how he would have fared against a Liverpool side that featured the likes of Mo Salah and Diogo Jota. But, once again, context is key.
After a gruelling eight-month rehabilitation period from an ACL injury sustained in August against Nottingham Forest, Timbers is in no hurry.
Arsenal would have felt pretty foolish if they had picked up a niggle before the season started by putting too much pressure on the defender.
It was the right decision
Jurrien Timber was with Arsenal at Lincoln Financial Field, but did not play during the match.
Is Nketiah heading for the exit?
Arsenal have given their fans one last clue about the future of a couple of their players before setting off on a midnight flight from Philadelphia to London.
Eddie Nketiah was on the bench in a match in which he would have liked to start or at least come on as a substitute before the 78th minute.
The fact that he has not been swayed by rumours that he is on the verge of leaving means that his main option, and one he is considering, is to join Marseille on a long-term contract. This would guarantee the striker a regular role in the first team, something he will not be able to achieve this season at Arsenal.
Eddie Nketiah is the subject of interest from a number of clubs as his Arsenal career looks set to draw to a close
Reiss Nelson started, which shows that the Gunners are considering their options with him. Several clubs are interested in him, but Nelson signed a four-year contract last July, so it could be difficult to get him out of the club, if the Gunners want to do so.
The winger was underperforming in the first half before being substituted at the break. However, his lack of playing time this year in general meant he was never going to be fully fit. He needs to play to be judged fairly.
He has solid attributes, as seen in his provocative cross in the 20th minute.