Liverpool 1-0 Real Betis: Szoboszlai gets Slot era up and running

Dominik Szoboszlai’s goal was the difference as Arne Slot’s first game in charge of Liverpool with spectators present ended in a 1-0 win over Real Betis in Pittsburgh.

Liverpool lost 1-0 in a behind-closed-doors meeting with Preston North End last week, but they were victors in sweltering conditions when their pre-season tour of the United States got under way on Friday.

Szoboszlai scored the only goal after 34 minutes, stroking his finish past Adrian after Mohamed Salah slipped a pass through to the Hungary international.

That goal came four minutes after Curtis Jones was forced off through injury, being replaced by 17-year-old Trey Nyoni.

Former Reds goalkeeper Adrian denied Conor Bradley as a strong Liverpool side chased a second, while Harvey Elliott nodded wide from a Kostas Tsimikas cross.

After Slot rang the changes with 63 minutes gone, Kaide Gordon missed Liverpool’s best chance to make it 2-0 by dragging his effort wide, but it did not matter as a controlled performance saw the Reds home.

Goalscorer with the Pittsburgh Reds pic.twitter.com/Qb06FQlUAu

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) July 27, 2024

Data Debrief: Reds in cruise control

Slot had been expected to bring a slightly more measured approach than the “heavy metal football” preached by his predecessor Jurgen Klopp, and that was on full display on Friday as Betis were held at arm’s length.

Liverpool enjoyed 62.7% of the possession throughout the match, though Slot will be looking for more penetration when they face Arsenal in the next game of their tour on Wednesday, having only recorded 12 touches in the penalty area to Betis’ 10.