
It was a electric start in a pre-season game between Liverpool and Arsenal which saw three goals in the first half.
Second half was a much slower pace with Arsenal dominating the ball but creating nothing in terms of chances.
Liverpool won the game 2-1 with all the goals coming in the first half with Mohamed Salah scoring alongside Fabio Carvalho and for Arsenal it was Kai Havertz.
Both teams played high intensity football, pressing high and trying to cause mistakes, with the Premier League start right round the corner managers look to emulate a competitive game best they could.
Here are 4 things we learnt from the game.
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Harvey Elliott looks very sharp
After a great 2023/2024 season for Harvey Elliot t in which he had nine goal contributions, against Arsenal he was great showing the new manager why he should be a staple in the team.
Getting two assists in the first half, Elliot ran the attack for the Reds finding pockets of space all over the pitch and in behind the Arsenal midfield.
His awareness and IQ in the game was great showing the ability alongside the vision to make the passes and start attacks for the team taking the mantle in attack.
The timing on his passes was great but he lacked decision making at times showing there are some areas he needs to be improve on the rest of this season.
With a new manager in and of the back of an excellent season Harvey Elliot looks like he can make the jump to be a starter every week and be one of the first names on the team sheet.
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Liverpool look good under Arne Slot
First half Liverpool looked really good pressing high on Arsenal and causing mistakes which helped them take a 2-0 lead.
It quickly became 2-1 but take nothing away from the first half performance from Liverpool who looked great under the new manager.
Second half, Arsenal saw more of the ball but it showed a different side of Liverpool and one that looked solid at the back not giving away many chances.
After conceding a sloppy goal that would have been exactly what Slot was looking for as a bounce back.
Despite the great performance fans should not be expecting a title charge as this a new era of Liverpool with a new manager that needs time to get the players he wants and play the way he wants but the start he has made should give confidence to fans.
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Still a lot of work for Arsenal
Arsenal's last US pre season game did not go as planned after a 2-1 loss, but there were positive signs for the Gunners in Havertz who played really well but they still have a lot of work to do if they want to challenge for the title again.
They looked very open against Liverpool and once their press had been broke open they looked vulnerable but with a full strength squad and more games under their belt that could change.
They need a quick start to the season, especially with how good Manchester City are likely to be, every point dropped means so much so being sharp at the start of the season is so important.
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Arsenal need a true number nine
The same problems seem to be arising for Arsenal as the more they play the more you can see they need a true number nine up front.
Their number nine is Gabriel Jesus but he does not seem the right fit as he prefers coming to the ball and drifting off wide and with Kai Havertz having an excellent end to last season he seems a must and having a similar role to Jesus they need something different.
They need someone who will put away their chances and be in the six yard box when a cross comes in and they do not have that with Havertz and Jesus on the pitch.
A striker they could go for is Ivan Toney who has been heavily linked to the club and with Toney expressing his desire to move to a bigger club, Arsenal seems to be the perfect fit.

