Liverpool 0-1 Preston: Reds Field Strong Side But Lose In Training Ground Friendly
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot began his tenure with a loss as Preston North End narrowly defeated the Reds 1-0 in a training ground friendly on Friday.
Slot’s team hosted their Championship opponents at the AXA Training Centre for the behind-closed-doors match, where Robbie Brady scored the only goal for the visitors.
Liverpool were missing several stars due to Euro 2024 and Copa America commitments, including Alisson Becker, Virgil van Dijk, Darwin Nunez, and Cody Gakpo. Nonetheless, Slot gave minutes to 25 players in the narrow defeat.
Mohamed Salah and Dominik Szoboszlai were included in the starting XI, along with Jarell Quansah, Harvey Elliott, Kostas Tsimikas, Curtis Jones, and Ben Doak, who returned from a serious knee injury.
Doak and Salah joined Fabio Carvalho in the front three for the first half in Kirkby, but Liverpool fell behind just before the 30-minute mark when Brady scored a fantastic long-range strike after Liverpool were caught out trying to play from the back.
Szoboszlai was substituted for Wataru Endo after 33 minutes, and Endo was the only player to complete the first half and also play in the second period.
Tyler Morton, Stefan Bajcetic, Kaide Gordon, Lewis Koumas, and out-of-favor defender Nat Phillips were among the 10 players introduced for the second half. Trey Nyoni also replaced Endo at the 75-minute mark.
Liverpool pressed for an equalizer as the second half progressed, but Preston held firm defensively, resulting in Slot’s first unofficial defeat as Liverpool boss—a result unlikely to cause him much concern.
In addition to Liverpool’s international absentees, second-choice goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher did not participate in Friday’s friendly, with Vitezslav Jaros and Harvey Davies sharing goalkeeping duties. The Republic of Ireland international is reportedly seeking a transfer for more regular playing time, and young attacker Jayden Danns was also absent.
**What’s next for Liverpool after the Preston defeat?**
Following Friday’s behind-closed-doors loss, Liverpool will head to the USA for their tour, where they will face Real Betis on July 26, Arsenal on July 31, and Manchester United on August 3.
Slot’s side will then conclude their pre-season preparations against Sevilla at Anfield on August 11, before traveling to newly-promoted Ipswich Town for their Premier League opener on August 17.
