Arne Slot claims Liverpool will play with a 'real striker' when the competitive season gets underway, after selecting Harvey Elliott and Dominik Szoboszlai to spearhead his attack in Friday's 1-0 win over Real Betis.

Cody Gakpo, Diogo Jota and Darwin Nunez are yet to join up with their Reds team-mates after competing at major tournaments during the summer.

It was therefore left to Elliott and Szoboszlai - two midfielders by trade - to lead the line in Pittsburgh.

And there were certainly signs of encouragement, with Szoboszlai scoring the only goal of the game to restore confidence following a behind-closed-doors defeat to Preston North End earlier this month.

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After the game, Slot confirmed that neither Szoboszlai nor Elliott will be called upon to spearhead his attack once all his players have reported back for pre-season.

"I think during the season you will see us play with a real striker," said the Dutchman.

"But at this moment we have no-one available.

That was one of the reasons why we played with a double 10 instead of with a striker.

That is maybe out of necessity.

"But for the rest of the style of play with trying to build up from the back, that is our style – to control the game, to not concede constant counter-attacks.

That will hopefully be our style during the season.