Arne Slot’s Liverpool claimed another encouraging pre-season win to complete their tour of the United States, beating Manchester United 3-0 in South Carolina.
Fabio Carvalho scored in the 10th minute for Liverpool and Curtis Jones doubled the lead late in the first half. Kostas Tsimikas made it three, finishing from close range.
Mail Sport’s Lewis Steele was in attendance in South Carolina and you can read his player ratings below.
Fabio Carvalho celebrates scoring his first goal in Liverpool’s win over Manchester United
Liverpool (4-3-3)
Caoimhin Kelleher – 8
It must be disheartening to know that he can play very well in pre-season but Alisson will be back in the squad on day one. Kelleher made several important saves in the first half to deny Mount and Rashford on multiple occasions. Edge’s man of the match award.
Conor Bradley-7.5
A telling moment midway through the first half, when Slot punched the air in frustration after Bradley cleared the ball for a throw-in when he could have been calmer in possession, was another excellent night, though, with the highlight being his role in Liverpool’s third goal.
Jarell Quansah-7
Rashford got the better of him too easily on the halfway line in the first half, but Quansah has been one of the bright spots of the tour overall. He has earned the right to start in the Premier League opener against Ipswich.
Ibrahima Konate – 6
First appearance under Slot and, despite some heavy touches in a shaky start, the Frenchman adapted well. Quansah’s appearance puts his starting position in jeopardy, but this week will be crucial to prove his worth to the new coach.
Kostas Tsimikas – 7.5
He started three games on the trip to the United States and, despite making a mistake in Arsenal’s goal in Philadelphia, the Greek has played well. He was in the right place at the right time to score Liverpool’s third goal after a beautiful collective move.
Kostas Tsimikas scored Liverpool’s third goal and has generally impressed under the belt.
Curtis Jones, who is enjoying life under Arne Slot as manager, scored Liverpool’s second goal against United
Curtis Jones-6.5
Last week, Jones said he was loving life under his new manager Slot and feels this system suits him perfectly. He has had some weak touches in the three games but overall this has been a great fortnight for Jones, who scored here after a gruelling run into the box.
Ryan Gravenberch-7
His first appearance on the tour after joining the team from Philadelphia. This is a great season for the Dutchman after an inconsistent first year in the Premier League. He played in a more distant role than usual and performed well on and off the ball.
Mohamed Salah – 7.5
It almost seems irrelevant to say it, as we’re used to it, but this was another mesmerising display from Salah. The Egyptian was a constant threat on Liverpool’s right flank.
Harvey Elliott-7.5
Perhaps the most positive aspect of the tour overall, with three excellent performances, the last two especially so. Elliott looks a top player in the number 10 position, always taking the ball and moving forward through midfield. The only criticism is that he sometimes held onto it too long.
Harvey Elliott has enjoyed a brilliant tour of Liverpool and has put in another strong performance here
Fabio Carvalho – 7
He is certainly banking on staying and being part of Liverpool’s plans this season. His finish was good, but the turn to get past Casemiro was even better. Overall, he was very good, but if we’re being picky, he sometimes sits out games.
Diogo Jota – 7
He kept possession for Liverpool’s opening goal when United’s defenders had fallen asleep. It would be a surprise if he wasn’t the No9 in the first Premier League game of the season, although Darwin Nunez will be back on Merseyside this week.
Substitutes
Vitek Jaros (for Kelleher 46)
Sepp Van den Berg (by Konate 46)
Trey Nyoni (for Jones 59)
Ben Doak (by Salah 66)
Harvey Blair (by Jota 66)
Stefan Bajcetic (for Elliott 66)
Luke Chambers (for Tsimikas 66)
Wataru Endo (for Gravenberch 66)
Tyler Morton (by Carvalho 66)
Nat Phillips (for Quansah 66)
Among them are Wataru Endo, Stefan Bajcetic, Luke Chambers, Nat Phillips, Ben Doak, Tyler Morton, Harvey Blair, Luca Stephenson and Trey Nyoni.
Manchester United (4-3-3)
André Onana – 6
He was unable to do much about Liverpool’s first two goals, but failed to do so on the third when he deflected Jota’s shot straight at Tsimikas. His distribution was good, but he often failed to deliver against the static defenders in front of him.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka – 6
He made some fine runs forward and was unlucky on both goals. On the first, the ball deflected off his boot and, on the second, Jones came within inches of an inspired interception.
Victor Lindelof – 5
New season, same defensive problems for United. They struggled to cope with Liverpool’s speedy forwards who constantly found themselves in empty spaces.
For Manchester United, it seems the same defensive problems persist within the team.
Jonny Evans-5
You can copy and paste the above. Evans, now 36, is not one of United’s first-choice defenders but will certainly be needed given the injury to new signing Lenny Yoro.
Harry Amass-6
He has had a very successful pre-season and will be in with a chance of starting in next weekend’s Community Shield final, but he had a tough night here against Salah.
Casemiro-4
He’s past his prime, as we’ve known for a few years now. He was beaten too easily for Liverpool’s first goal, when Carvalho gave him a false ball. Too slow.
Casemiro struggled to establish himself in another disappointing display
Toby Collyer-6
He seemed to cover every blade of grass as a box-to-box midfielder, which certainly gives Ten Hag an option heading into the new season.
Amad Diallo – 6.5
He had a very promising tour with United and showed some eye-catching moments here. He clearly has confidence heading into the new season. He got the better of Van den Berg in the second half. The end product let him down a little here.
Mount Mason – 7
The Englishman put in a good performance, playing just behind striker Sancho. He could have scored two goals in the first 15 minutes, but his shots were well saved.
Mason Mount could have scored twice on a night that ended in defeat for United in the United States
Marcus Rashford-7
United’s brightest player, especially in the first half. Playing on the left, he outpaced Quansah and looked an energetic player. Kelleher saved a couple of shots well early on.
Jadon Sancho – 6
He played as a number 9 and had some good touches, although he also lost possession a few times through carelessness. He headed wide and had a clear chance from six yards. He looked tired towards the end.
Substitutes:
Rhys Bennett (for Lindelof 46)
Will Fish (for Evans 46)
Scott McTominay (for Rashford 46)
Antonio (by Amad 60)
Ethan Wheatley (for Mount 60)
Christian Eriksen (for Collyer 60)
James Scanlon (by Wan-Bissaka 83)
Tom Heaton, Radek Vitek, Sam Murray, Jack Fletcher, Hannibal, Sam Mather, Maxi Oyedele.
