As part of their American tour, Liverpool and Arsenal are poised to compete in an all-Premier League pre-season match at Lincoln Financial Field. Both teams have experienced varied results in their pre-season campaigns, making their upcoming encounter highly anticipated.
Liverpool’s Pre-Season Form
Liverpool’s pre-season has been a mixed bag under new manager Arne Slot. The Reds began their tour with a surprising 1-0 defeat to Preston North End in a behind-closed-doors match.
Despite including key players like Dominik Szoboszlai and Mohamed Salah, the loss highlighted some early challenges for Slot, who is replacing the legendary Jürgen Klopp.
However, Liverpool bounced back with a narrow 1-0 victory over Real Betis. Szoboszlai’s first-half goal and Liverpool’s dominant possession, with 63% of the ball, showcased the early signs of Slot’s tactical philosophy.
With the new season approaching, Liverpool remains the only Premier League team yet to make a first-team signing, which means Slot will rely heavily on his current squad to perform.
Arsenal’s Pre-Season Form
Arsenal’s pre-season has been relatively promising. Mikel Arteta’s side began with a 1-1 draw against Bournemouth but secured a win in the ensuing penalty shootout.
Their most recent outing saw them come from behind to beat Manchester United 2-1, which included impressive performances from Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli.
Mikel Arteta’s side has been marked by resilience and improvement, reflecting their determination to challenge for the Premier League title. Despite finishing behind Manchester City in the past two seasons, the Gunners are focused on preparation and gearing up for a strong start to the 2024-25 campaign.
Team News
Liverpool:
- Injury Concerns: Curtis Jones is a doubt after sustaining an injury in the match against Real Betis. His absence could lead to a midfield of Wataru Endo, Tyler Morton, and Szoboszlai.
- Defensive Issues: Liverpool’s defense is significantly weakened due to the absence of several key players who were involved in international duty. A makeshift backline of Caoimhin Kelleher, Conor Bradley, Jarell Quansah, Sepp van den Berg, and Kostas Tsimikas is expected to feature.
Arsenal:
- International Absences: Arsenal will miss several regular starters who are still involved in international tournaments, including Declan Rice, Aaron Ramsdale, Bukayo Saka, David Raya, and William Saliba.
- Inclusions: Gabriel Magalhães, Kai Havertz, and Gabriel Martinelli, who joined the squad on July 25, are likely to start. Seventeen-year-old Ethan Nwaneri has impressed in pre-season and is expected to continue his promising run.
Tactical Battle
Arne Slot’s Liverpool will look to impose their new tactical approach, emphasizing ball control and high possession. In contrast, Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal will seek to build on their recent positive form and address their past near-misses in the Premier League.
Both managers will use this fixture to test their tactical setups and integrate new and returning players into their systems. This match will be an opportunity for both teams to fine-tune their strategies and assess their squad depth before the season kicks off.
Key Players to Watch
- Liverpool: Dominik Szoboszlai, who scored in their last match, will be a key figure in midfield. Mohamed Salah will also be crucial, providing creativity and goalscoring threat.
- Arsenal: Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli are expected to be instrumental in attack, while Ethan Nwaneri will look to continue his impressive pre-season form.
This fixture promises to be an exciting encounter with both teams eager to gain momentum ahead of the new season. Liverpool’s transitional phase under Slot contrasts with Arsenal’s focused approach under Arteta, making for a compelling match-up.
