Liverpool are BEATEN in first match under Arne Slot – as Mohamed Salah, Harvey Elliott, Dominik Szoboszlai all feature in behind-closed-doors pre-season friendly by Preston
- Liverpool took on Championship club Preston in a behind closed doors friendly
- Lilywhites won by one goal between the two teams at the AXA Training Centre
- Arne Slot brought 25 players onto the field in 90 minutes, including a number of first team stars
Liverpool suffered a defeat in their first match under new manager Arne Slot.
The Dutchman came from Feyenoord and signed a three-year contract at Anfield. He replaced Jurgen Klopp and officially started as head coach on 1 June.
The new era at Anfield officially got underway last week when Slot and his coaching staff put a host of players through their paces after they returned from holiday.
And preparations for the new season intensified on Friday when Liverpool took on Championship club Preston in a closed-door friendly at the AXA Training Centre.
The Reds were defeated 1-0, with Robbie Brady scoring the only goal of the game from a distance.
Liverpool suffered a defeat in their first match under new manager Arne Slot on Friday.
The Lilywhites won by a single goal between the two teams at the AXA Training Centre
Slot brought 25 players onto the field for the 90 minutes, including a number of first-team stars
Slot brought 25 players onto the field for the 90 minutes, including a number of first-team stars.
Curtis Jones, Harvey Elliott, Dominik Szoboszlai and Mohamed Salah were among the players who featured in the first half.
Salah came close to giving Liverpool a goal in the opening 45 minutes when he hit the crossbar from inside the penalty area after a cross from Konstantinos Tsimikas.
According to Preston’s official account, Brady’s goal came with an “incredible lob” from 40 yards.
Slot made the changes in the second half, with mainly young players taking to the field, alongside the likes of Wataru Endo and Stefan Bajcetic.
Although this was Liverpool’s first pre-season friendly, Preston have already played in three friendlies this summer and completed a full training camp in Spain.
Harvey Elliott (centre) was one of the players on the pitch in the first 45 minutes
Slot made the changes in the second half, with most of the young players taking the field
Match fitness is a priority for both clubs, with the Lilywhites kicking off their season on August 9 against Sheffield United.
Liverpool’s first pre-season match will be broadcast on July 27, when they take on Real Betis as part of their tour of the United States.
The Reds will also take on Premier League rivals Arsenal and Manchester United during the tour.