Liverpool’s stellar preseason campaign under Arne Slot continued on Sunday afternoon at Anfield as they defeated Spanish team Sevilla 4-1 to win four straight games.
In his debut game as head coach Slot’s replacement, Luis Diaz scored twice thanks to a brilliant weak-footed volley from Diogo Jota and a clean finish from summer breakout sensation Trey Nyoni, 17.
For Slot’s team, it was the first of two friendly that day. The Reds would meet Las Palmas, another Spanish team, in a teatime kickoff that would take place behind closed doors.
Here are the primary observations made by Lewis Steele of Mail Sport after attending the opening game.
Is Diaz going to find a cruel streak in front of goal?
The Senegalese star’s departure for Bayern Munich left many in the fan base believing that Sadio Mane’s prolific nature was never replicated. Despite playing on the left, Diaz and Cody Gakpo have never been able to match Mane’s goal-scoring ability.
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Luis Diaz is going into the start of the Premier League season in red-hot form for Liverpool
The Colombian forward scored two goals in the host’s triumphant showing against Sevilla
Supporters will be hoping that the athlete eventually proves himself as a reliable Sadio Mane substitute.
Mane scored 120 goals in 269 Reds games, or one every 2.24 games on average. Diaz, on the other hand, has only managed 24 goals in 98 games, or around one every 4.08 games. Thoughts are subjective, the Colombian’s final output most definitely falls into the “may improve” category.
Making any broad generalisations based on Diaz’s first 62 preseason minutes would be overreactionary, but his two goals today have provided plenty of cause for hope ahead of his third full season at Anfield after joining from Porto in January 2022.
The 27-year-old Diaz got off to a respectable start in the previous season, but due to circumstances beyond his control, he missed time after his father was abducted in Colombia, which cost him a definite spot in the starting lineup.
The front offered glimpses but never truly lit the world on fire. However, Slot and his backroom crew have been doing one-on-one sessions to improve players’ off-ball movement, and Diaz will undoubtedly gain from the extra guidance.
He played with constant sharpness, and the first goal demonstrated the decisiveness that Liverpool supporters have been longing for. Without pausing, Diaz cut in from the left and sent the ball sailing across goal and into the upper corner. He was at the right place at the right time, but his second was a tap-in.
Which bench players are vying for opening day roles at Ipswich?
You will remember that Mail Sport has been waxing poetic over teenage defender Jarell Quansah on numerous occasions if you have read any of their musings this summer, particularly from the three-leg trip of the United States.
The 21-year-old has not yet made his Liverpool first-team debut at this time last year. However, Quansah is currently vying for the position of No. 2 centre back at Anfield after forcing his way into the first team with 33 appearances during the previous campaign and receiving a call-up to the England senior group.
Jarell Quansah has been a constant standout on Liverpool’s pre-season tour this summer
Ryan Gravenberch would be wise to take advantage of the fresh chances that come his way under Arne Slot.
Naturally, Virgil van Dijk, the captain, remains the standout player, but after yet another strong performance, Quansah is now putting up a strong fight to start as the regular starting defence beside his idol.
Quansah is working hard to make the squad for Saturday’s Premier League opener against Ipswich, even though Ibrahima Konate was scheduled to play in the second friendly of the day.
Kostas Tsimikas, whose national team, Greece, did not make it to the European Championship, has been a mainstay elsewhere this preseason. That made sure he was in position to speak with Slot from the beginning of his rule.
The Dutch midfielder Ryan Gravenberch is one more player aiming to make a consistent impression.
Salah remains the key player.
In the second half of the previous campaign, analysts believed Mohamed Salah’s finest days were behind him.
Mohamed Salah had a fiery end to the season in a clash with then-manager Jurgen Klopp
But the Egyptian talisman looked at his reliable best on Sunday afternoon against Sevilla
With his team’s last-minute preparations for their first competitive match, Arne Slot will be happy.
Salah never quite reached his best physical form in the last few months of the season after suffering an injury that forced him to withdraw from the Africa Cup of Nations midway through. It was most likely the primary cause of Liverpool’s unsuccessful title challenge.
Additionally, there was a public altercation between the previous manager and his Egyptian striker in a game at West Ham that Salah had started as a substitute. As he departed the London Stadium, Salah declared, “If I speak today, there will be fire.”
Though Salah, who turned 32 this summer, declined Egypt’s offer to compete in the Olympics in favour of regaining his physical fitness over the past several months, he still looks as good as ever despite ageing.
Salah has been making cutting runs off the ball in behind defenders for Liverpool during their preseason trip and Sunday’s victory over Sevilla. He may have been unlucky not to score in this crushing of the Spanish team, as other shots were blocked or went harmlessly wide.