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.
News
Discover the Hidden Health Benefits of Common Mallow: Nature’s Nutritional Gem (an)
Discover the Hidden Health Benefits of Common Mallow: Nature’s Nutritional Gem Common mallow, also known as Malva sylvestris, is often overlooked and dismissed as a mere weed. However,…
Boost Your Energy Like an 18-Year-Old with This Powerful Lemon and Honey Remedy (an)
Boost Your Energy Like an 18-Year-Old with This Powerful Lemon and Honey Remedy Introduction: Reclaim Your Youthful Energy Do you often find yourself wishing you could feel…
13 Health Benefits of Phyllanthus Niruri (Stonebreaker) (an)
Phyllanthus niruri, commonly known as Stonebreaker, Chanca Piedra, is a powerful medicinal herb widely used in traditional medicine. This plant is well-known for its liver-protective properties and its…
Yarrow: A Timeless Herbal Ally with Amazing Health Benefits (an)
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium), a perennial herb, has been revered for centuries as a medicinal plant with a wide array of health benefits. Its use dates back to…
Just 1 Leaf of This Plant Is Worth a Gold Mine – Euphorbia Hirta (Did You Know That?) (an)
Euphorbia hirta, commonly known as asthma weed or snake weed, may appear as an ordinary wild plant, but it is a true gold mine when it comes to its…
End of content
No more pages to load