Liverpool Player Ratings: Standout Performers and Key Moments in 2-1 Victory Over Arsenal
LINCOLN FINANCIAL FIELD, PHILADELPHIA — Liverpool secured their second win on US soil with a 2-1 triumph over Arsenal in Philadelphia, marking a strong statement ahead of the new season.
Mohamed Salah put Liverpool ahead with what could be the first of many goals under Arne Slot. The Egyptian forward expertly received a superb through ball from Harvey Elliott, managed to cover considerable ground, and finished calmly despite tight Arsenal defense.
Elliott was instrumental again when Liverpool extended their lead, delivering a precise chip to Fabio Carvalho, who finished confidently. Arsenal responded before halftime with a goal from Kai Havertz, and they kept up the pressure in the second half, but Liverpool managed to withstand it. Here’s how the players fared in this pre-season match.
Winners:
- Harvey Elliott: Demonstrated his credentials with two brilliant assists, making him the standout performer of the first half and possibly securing his place in the starting lineup for the opener against Ipswich.
- Mohamed Salah and Fabio Carvalho: Both were a constant threat throughout the first half. Salah’s finish was assured, and Carvalho’s goal was executed with confidence, suggesting a promising partnership.
Losers:
- Caoimhin Kelleher: Had a shaky start, with his distribution being problematic at times, although he played a key role in the opening goal. This performance might be attributed to pre-season rustiness.
- Wataru Endo: Was again on the bench, and with Curtis Jones currently favored in the No.6 role, Endo’s future might be uncertain if a higher bid arrives.
Player Ratings:
- Caoimhin Kelleher (6): Had an uncertain start but contributed to the opener.
- Conor Bradley (6): Put in a lot of effort on the right but struggled against Martinelli.
- Jarell Quansah (8): Exceptional defending to prevent a certain Arsenal goal.
- Sepp van den Berg (7): Made crucial interceptions and improved his prospects for the upcoming season.
- Kostas Tsimikas (6): Was effective going forward but had difficulty defensively and could have done better on Havertz’s goal.
- Curtis Jones (6): Worked hard in midfield but Liverpool needs a more dedicated No.6.
- Dominik Szoboszlai (6): Defended well and prevented Arsenal from converting their chances.
- Harvey Elliott (8): Delivered a brilliant assist for both goals, strongly making his case for a starting spot.
- Mohamed Salah (8): Finished confidently after a well-timed pass from Elliott, maintaining his high performance.
- Diogo Jota (6): His first pre-season appearance saw him struggle with offsides and missed a clear chance.
- Fabio Carvalho (8): Displayed skill early on and finished confidently after linking up well with Elliott.
Substitutes:
- Wataru Endo (6): Struggled with the ball but showed commitment late on. Doesn’t seem to be a top choice for the upcoming season.
- Luca Stephenson (6): Faced a tough time as Arsenal became more aggressive but held his own.
- Trey Nyoni (6): Had less impact compared to his previous game but came close to scoring late on.
- Ben Doak (6): Had limited impact as Liverpool spent much of the second half defending.
- Stefan Bajcetic (6): Encountered a relatively easy challenge as the game lost intensity after substitutions.
- Harvey Blair (6): Looked lively on his few offensive breaks.
- Nat Phillips (6): Gave his all, though he is likely to leave this summer.
- Owen Beck (6): Performed well on the left side; his role in the upcoming season will be worth watching.
- Tyler Morton (6): Provided solid midfield support and demonstrated experience in a youthful side.
- Amara Nallo (6): Had a solid outing as a young defender, holding his ground effectively.