Liverpool vs Sevilla and Las Palmas: What did we learn from two games in one day? The Briefing

By
James BAOUCH
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With days to go until the new Premier League season kicks off, Liverpool took the opportunity to stage two pre-season friendlies at Anfield on Sunday.

It gave new manager Arne Slot the chance to make final touches to his starting line-up ahead of the season opener against Ipswich on Saturday.

Questions to be answered were who to play at No 6, where Trent Alexander-Arnold will be deployed, and who will start in attack.

A 4-1 win against Sevilla, in front of a full crowd, was followed by a 0-0 draw with Las Palmas behind closed doors. James Pearce and Andy Jones take a look at what we learned from the two games.

Changing role for Alexander-Arnold?

Trent Alexander-Arnold didn’t take long to remind everyone of his passing ability. Within minutes of being back in a Liverpool shirt, he was impressing the Anfield crowd with his vision and passing range.

The England international capped off his performance with a trademark assist — a deep cross from the inside-right channel — for Jota’s opening goal (see below).

After a summer of debate about where Alexander-Arnold might be used for both his club and country, Slot’s plan appears to be for his defender to operate as more of an orthodox right-back, but with the freedom to drift inside and influence games rather than in the inverted full-back role he operated in last season.

The 25-year-old has entered the final year of his contract and agreeing new terms with the right-back has to be one of Liverpool’s top priorities as the new campaign edges closer. His value cannot be understated.

Andy Jones


Slot during Sunday’s friendlies (Barrington Coombs/Getty Images)

Has Jota earned the right to start vs Ipswich?

Diogo Jota endured so much misfortune last season. Three times he suffered morale-sapping injury setbacks that wrecked his momentum and limited him to just 19 starts for Liverpool in all competitions in 2023-34.

Then the former Wolverhampton Wanderers attacker found himself largely overlooked by manager Roberto Martinez as Portugal toiled during the Euros.

Since stepping back onto the field against Arsenal in Philadelphia during Liverpool’s recent tour of the U.S., Jota has looked like a man on a mission.

Sharp, strong and full of belief, he has led the line brilliantly in the pre-season games and appears certain to start next Saturday’s Premier League opener away to newly promoted Ipswich Town.

He’s the most natural finisher in Slot’s squad and he showcased that ability in stunning fashion to open the scoring against Sevilla.

Alexander-Arnold’s first-time cross was inviting and Jota unleashed an unstoppable left-footed volley, which flew into the top corner. It was reminiscent of Robbie Fowler in his prime as he made something so difficult look almost routine. “One of my best, for sure,” he beamed. “I hit it properly with my left foot and it ended up being a great goal.”

Jota continued to torment Sevilla’s overworked back line as he laid on the second goal for Diaz and then played in Dominik Szoboszlai, who put the third on a plate for the Colombian. A crude challenge from Gonzalo Montiel left Jota in a heap, but he picked himself up and battled on.

His 15 goals for Liverpool in all competitions in 2023-34 (one every 114 minutes he was on the field) were impressive given the amount of football he missed. Imagine what he could achieve if Slot and his staff can keep him fit. Jota’s quality isn’t in any doubt.

James Pearce

Why is it an important season for Diaz?

Since his arrival at Liverpool in January 2022, one of the question marks over Luis Diaz has been about his goal contributions, but in his first appearance since returning from an extended break following the Copa America, Diaz scored twice (see both goals below) in the first half against Sevilla.

Diaz finished last season with 13 goals and five assists in 51 games, a good return but one a player of his calibre is capable of exceeding. In total, he has scored 24 goals in 98 appearances, which equates to around one goal in every four matches.

The 27-year-old has been the subject of speculation about a potential exit this summer. Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain were both linked and speculation increased when Liverpool were in talks with Newcastle about signing Anthony Gordon in June.

Only a significant offer well above £50million would tempt Liverpool to consider selling the winger and no bid has been forthcoming from the Spanish side. Their signing of Dani Olmo from RB Leipzig makes a move for Diaz seem even more unlikely.

The attacker has three years remaining on his contract and it will be an important season for him to make those strides in increasing his production. Cody Gakpo’s performances on the left wing for the Netherlands in the European Championship have increased competition for that starting spot.

Head coach Slot will hope his bright and dynamic display and two goals is a sign of things to come.

Andy Jones

What is the answer to the No 6 conundrum?

While Liverpool’s pursuit of Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi goes on, Slot will likely be picking from his current crop for the No 6 role against Ipswich.

From Sunday’s two friendlies, it would seem Ryan Gravenberch is in pole position and his display against Sevilla offered more encouragement that the Dutch international can flourish. He possesses the technical quality and ball progression Slot wants, but he remains to be tested defensively.

Alongside him in the midfield as the No 8 was Alexis Mac Allister, which suggests Slot sees him in the more advanced role of the double pivot. If Slot was considering him in the No 6 role, it would have been the perfect opportunity to try it.


(Peter Powell/AFP via Getty Images)

Wataru Endo started there in the second friendly against Las Palmas but was unable to take the opportunity to bounce back from a difficult U.S. tour where he was reduced to cameos after a poor performance against Real Betis in the opening game. He struggled again and despite Liverpool rejecting Marseille’s £11.8million offer for him earlier this summer, it would not be a surprise if he left Anfield before the end of the month.

Gravenberch is not the perfect solution to Slot’s No 6 conundrum and Liverpool prioritising bringing in a new one reaffirmed that, but it looks like he has the shirt for now.

Andy Jones

Has Elliott done enough to start?

Many players made appearances in the second game, but the only one to really stake a claim ahead of the serious stuff getting underway next weekend was Harvey Elliott.

Andy Robertson made his first appearance of pre-season after recovering from the ankle problem that hampered him at the Euros. He struck the post from the edge of the box, got an hour under his belt and will use this week to try to convince Slot he’s up to speed to get the nod ahead of Kostas Tsimikas at Ipswich.

Darwin Nunez and Gakpo were also back in action, but both looked rusty, while Ibrahima Konate looks set to start the season where he finished the last one — behind Jarell Quansah in the pecking order of centre-back partners for captain Virgil van Dijk.

Elliott, however, was the standout performer on the tour of the U.S. and his skill set is well suited to the No 10 role in Slot’s 4-2-3-1 system.

There were some lovely touches from the 21-year-old as he was at the heart of the few openings Liverpool did create against Las Palmas. Slot played Szoboszlai in that position earlier in the day.

Elliott is desperate to be more than an impact player off the bench this season. He couldn’t have done much more in pre-season to catch Slot’s eye.

James Pearce

What did Arne Slot say?

On the No 6 position: “The ones I have tried there has sometimes to do with the players I have had available. We have seen mostly Wata and Ryan there, and in the previous game even Dominik was a bit lower.

“I have quite a good idea which player suits there at this moment, in my opinion, best. But we are only one week working together with some players. Sometimes you feel this is the best No 6 but then the combination with the other two might not work out that well.

“It’s not to say the ones who played today will play next week or the weeks after. We are still in a situation where we are constantly evaluating which is the best line-up for us. Today you saw this, but that’s not to say it’s the same next week.”

What next for Liverpool?

Saturday, August 17: Ipswich Town (A), Premier League, 12.30pm BST, 7.30am ET

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(Top photo: Barrington Coombs/Getty Images)



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