Liverpool Triumph 3-0 Over Manchester United in Pre-Season Friendly

Liverpool concluded their US tour on a high note with a commanding 3-0 victory over Manchester United, leaving fans excited for the upcoming Premier League season. In a match that saw Liverpool dominate in Columbia, new manager Arne Slot’s team showcased their prowess, further solidifying their pre-season form.

Liverpool’s Dominance Shines Through

In front of a packed crowd of 77,559 at the Williams-Brice Stadium, Liverpool wasted no time asserting their dominance. Fabio Carvalho opened the scoring just ten minutes in, capitalising on poor defending by Casemiro. Carvalho’s goal set the tone for the match, with Liverpool maintaining control and pressing high up the pitch.

The Reds doubled their lead in the 36th minute. Mohamed Salah, with his trademark agility, outmaneuvered United’s young defender Toby Collyer. Salah’s run to the byline was followed by a precise low cross, perfectly set up for Curtis Jones to slot home. The match’s outcome was all but sealed when Konstantinos Tsimikas scored Liverpool’s third goal in the 61st minute. The Greek defender capitalised on a loose ball after Andre Onana failed to hold onto Diogo Jota’s initial effort.

Slot’s men were a cohesive unit, moving the ball swiftly and pressing their opponents relentlessly. Their high-intensity play was a hallmark of their performance, something that Slot will hope to maintain as they gear up for their Premier League opener against newly-promoted Ipswich on 17 August.

Tough Outing For Manchester United

For Manchester United, the friendly against Liverpool was a challenging affair. The night turned from bad to worse when young defender Will Fish was stretchered off after a collision with Harvey Blair. The injury, which appeared serious, capped off a difficult game for Erik Ten Hag’s side.

United’s tour of the US was a mixed bag, with defeats against Liverpool and Arsenal sandwiching a victory over Real Betis. Like Liverpool, United were missing several key players due to Euro 2024 and Copa America commitments. Despite this, their performance left much to be desired, particularly in defence.

At half-time, United found themselves trailing despite creating several clear chances. Mason Mount, operating in the number 10 role, was a constant threat, linking up well with Amad Diallo and Marcus Rashford. However, United’s inability to convert these chances into goals proved costly. Diallo, in particular, squandered opportunities, including a close-range header from a Mount cross and a shot over the bar after being set up by Aaron Wan-Bissaka.

Slot’s Positive Start at Liverpool

The pre-season has been a successful one for Liverpool under Slot’s guidance. With victories over Arsenal, Real Betis, and now Manchester United, the team has shown signs of cohesion and improvement. Slot, who took over from Jurgen Klopp in May, has expressed satisfaction with the team’s progress.

“We are very happy with the result. We scored some really nice goals but I don’t think we had enough control over the game because United were threatening us more than a few times,” Slot commented. “It’s a 3-0 win but the score could have been different tonight as well.”

Liverpool’s US tour has been marked by their high pressing and quick transitions, traits that Slot has clearly been working on. The inclusion of younger players like Carvalho and Jones, alongside seasoned professionals like Salah, has given the squad a balanced look. As the Premier League approaches, Slot can be confident that his side is heading in the right direction.

United’s Need for Improvement

For Manchester United, the loss to Liverpool highlighted areas that need urgent attention. Despite their attacking threat, the Red Devils were wasteful in front of goal. Kelleher, Liverpool’s goalkeeper, was called into action multiple times, denying Mount and Rashford. The inability to finish chances, coupled with defensive lapses, will be a concern for Ten Hag.

As United prepare for their upcoming fixtures, including the Community Shield against Manchester City, Ten Hag will be keen to iron out these issues. “There were mixed feelings,” Ten Hag said. “I have seen positive bits, but the way we concede goals, we are, of course, not happy with it.”

The Dutch manager, who recently extended his contract, knows that a performance like this won’t suffice if United are to improve on last season’s disappointing eighth-place finish. With the Premier League season looming, United must find consistency and resolve in both defence and attack.