Arne Slot’s Liverpool secured another encouraging victory in their pre-season campaign to conclude their tour of the United States, beating Manchester United 3-0 in South Carolina.
Fabio Carvalho scored for Liverpool in the 10th minute and Curtis Jones doubled their lead towards the end of the first half, with Kostas Tsimikas getting the third, firing home from close range.
Mail Sport’s Lewis Steele was in attendance in South Carolina. You can read his player ratings below.
Fabio Carvalho celebrates his opening goal as Liverpool beat Manchester United
LIVERPOOL (4-3-3)
Caoimhin Kelleher – 8
Must be disheartening to know that he can go ballistic in pre-season but Alisson will be right back in the team on opening day. Kelleher made several big saves in the first half to keep Mount and Rashford out on multiple occasions. Edges man of the match award.
Conor Bradley – 7.5
A revealing moment midway through the first half when Slot punched the air in frustration after Bradley cleared the ball for a throw-in when he might have been calmer in possession. Another excellent night, with the highlight being his role in Liverpool’s third.
Jarell Quansah-7
Passed too easily by Rashford on the halfway line in the first half, but Quansah has generally been one of the main positives of the tour. Claims the start of the Premier League opener against Ipswich.
Ibrahima Konate – 6
First appearance under Slot and, despite some heavy touches in a shaky start, the Frenchman settled in well. The emergence of Quansah puts his starting spot in jeopardy, but this week will be crucial to prove himself to the new boss.
Kostas Tsimikas – 7.5
Started three games on this trip to America and, despite being at fault for Arsenal’s goal in Philadelphia, the Greek played well. Was in the right place at the right time to score Liverpool’s third in a fine team move.
Kostas Tsimikas scored the third goal for Liverpool and has generally impressed under Slot
Curtis Jones, who is enjoying life with Arne Slot as coach, scored Liverpool’s second against United
Curtis Jones – 6.5
Last week he spoke about how he was enjoying life under new boss Slot and how he feels the system suits him perfectly. He’s had a few loose touches in all three games, but overall it’s been a great two weeks for Jones, who scored here after a lung-busting run into the box.
Ryan Gravenberch – 7
His first outing on the tour after joining the Philadelphia squad. This is a big season for the Dutchman after an inconsistent first year in the Premier League. Played in a deeper role than usual here and put in a good shift both on and off the ball.
Mohammed Salah – 7.5
It almost feels like a trivial point to say, because we are used to it, but this was another mesmerizing display from Salah. The Egyptian was a constant threat on the right wing for Liverpool.
Harvey Elliott – 7.5
Perhaps the biggest positive of the tour in general with three excellent performances, the last two in particular. Elliott looks a class act in the No 10 position, always on the ball and drifting through the midfield. The only criticism is that he sometimes held on to it for too long.
Harvey Elliott has had a brilliant tour for Liverpool and has delivered another great performance here
Fabio Carvalho – 7
He certainly claims to stay and be part of Liverpool’s plans this season. His finish was nice but the move to get past Casemiro was even better. Great tour overall but if he is picky he sometimes falls out of games.
Diogo Jota – 7
Kept the ball alive for Liverpool’s opener when United’s defenders were asleep. It would be a surprise if he wasn’t the No.9 in the opening Premier League game of the season, although Darwin Nunez is due back on Merseyside this week.
Substitutes
Vitek Jaros (for Kelleher 46)
Sepp Van den Berg (for Konate 46)
Trey Nyoni (for Jones 59)
Ben Doak (for Salah 66)
Harvey Blair (for Jota 66)
Stefan Bajcetic (for Elliott 66)
Luke Chambers (for Tsimikas 66)
Wataru Endo (for Gravenberch 66)
Tyler Morton (for Carvalho 66)
Nat Phillips (for Quansah 66)
Wataru Endo, Stefan Bajcetic, Luke Chambers, Nat Phillips, Ben Doak, Tyler Morton, Harvey Blair, Luca Stephenson, Trey Nyoni.
MANCHESTER UNITED (4-3-3)
André Onana – 6
Could do little about Liverpool’s first two goals, but let the third slip when he deflected Jota’s shot straight at Tsimikas. His distribution was good, but was often let down by static defenders in front of him.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka – 6
Made some good runs forward and was unlucky with both goals, the first time the ball was fired in off his boot and the second time Jones was inches away from an inspired interception.
Victor Lindelöf – 5
New season, same defensive problems for United. Struggling to deal with Liverpool’s speedy attackers constantly popping up in space.
For Manchester United, it seems that the same defensive problems are still in the team
Jonny Evans – 5
Can copy and paste the above. Evans, now 36, is not one of United’s starting defenders but will certainly be needed given the injury to new signing Lenny Yoro.
Harry Amass-6
Had a very enjoyable pre-season and will be in contention for the Community Shield final next weekend. Had a tough night against Salah here, though.
Casemiro-4
He was a few years past his prime. Beaten far too easily for Liverpool’s opener when Carvalho sold him a dummy. Too slow.
Casemiro struggled to assert himself in another disappointing match
Toby Collyer-6
Seemed to cover every blade of grass as a box-to-box midfielder. Certainly gives Ten Hag an option for the new season.
Amad Diallo – 6.5
Had a promising tour for United and showed some flashes of brilliance here. Clearly in a confident mood for the new season. Slung past Van den Berg in the second half. End product let him down somewhat here.
Mason Mountain – 7
A decent performance from the Englishman, who played just behind striker Sancho. Could have scored two in the first 15 minutes but saw attempts well stopped.
Mason Mount could have scored twice on a night that ended in defeat for United in America
Marcus Rashford-7
United’s biggest spark, especially in the first half. Played from the left, slotted past Quansah and looked a constant explosive. Saw a couple of attempts well saved by Kelleher early on.
Jadon Sancho – 6
Played as a No 9 and had some nice touches but also some careless losses of possession. Headed a ball wide with a golden chance from six yards. Looked tired towards the end.
Substitutes:
Rhys Bennett (for Lindelof 46)
Will Fish (for Evans 46)
Scott McTominay (for Rashford 46)
Antony (for Amad 60)
Ethan Wheatley (for Mount 60)
Christian Eriksen (for Collyer 60)
James Scanlon (for Wan-Bissaka 83)
Tom Heaton, Radek Vitek, Sam Murray, Jack Fletcher, Hannibal, Sam Mather, Maxi Oyedele.