Liverpool beat Real Betis 1-0 but one player’s performance has come under scrutiny.

Liverpool fans have called on Arne Slot to replace one player in his side after watching him struggle in their opening pre-season friendly against Real Betis.

Liverpool made a winning start to their pre-season schedule in what was Slot’s first match as head coach since replacing former manager Jurgen Klopp.

They ran out 1-0 winners against La Liga club Real Betis at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai scoring the only goal – a well-taken finish midway through the first half.

Despite that goal, Liverpool struggled during the first period but improved after the break and Slot will be relatively happy with the performance of his side.

But there were several areas of concern for the Dutchman that he will need to address before the start of the new Premier League season.

A major issue for Slot is the No 6 position, widely regarded as an area Liverpool need to improve if they are to challenge for the title.

Wataru Endo started for the Reds against Betis in defensive midfield but struggled badly, giving away possession on a number of occasions as well as several free-kicks.

Fans were quick to criticise the 31-year-old after the match and called on the club to sign a world-class No 6, with Stefan Bajcetic the only other senior specialised defensive midfielder currently available to Slot.

“Endo is absolutely horrific,” one frustrated fan posted on X.

Another added: “We cannot start the season with him as our starting DM, we just cannot.”

While a third wrote: “Keep [Tyler] Morton and Bajectic sell Endo and bring in a starter.”

Liverpool attempted to sign Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia last summer before seeing both players join Chelsea instead, with the club eventually opting to bring in Endo in a £16.2m move from Stuttgart.

Endo struggled against Real Betis (Image: Getty)

He arguably overachieved last season, scoring twice in 43 appearances in all competitions for the Reds.

But Slot may be considering replacing him after seeing his performance against Betis.

Speaking after the win, the former Feyenoord boss said: “I think there were a few positive things and, of course, a few things we have to improve. But the positive thing is that we kept a clean sheet.

“I think we only conceded one big chance and that was somewhere around the last 10 minutes of the game. So we controlled the game really well and in between we had a few good attacks where we created a few good chances and scored a good goal.

“Those were the positives from this game.”

Liverpool next face Arsenal on their pre-season tour of the United States before taking on Manchester United and Sevilla in further warm-up matches.

They will then take on Ipswich in their opening match of the new Premier League season on August 17.