Mohamed Salah missed a huge opportunity and Curtis Jones saw his effort blocked as Liverpool suffered a narrow defeat to Preston North End despite dominating possession

Arne Slot speaks to his players on the touchline for the first time ahead of a busy preseason (Image: 2024 Liverpool FC)

Liverpool's first game under new head coach Arne Slot didn't go to plan, as the team was defeated 1-0 by Championship team Preston North End in a behind-closed-doors exhibition.

Slot has been running training sessions throughout July with all available players, although multiple stars are still yet to return from international tournaments held this summer.



On Friday, Slot watched his players face an opposition club for the first time, but they failed to score and were humiliated against an inferior team.

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The new head coach who replaced Jurgen Klopp fielded 25 different players during the 90-minute match and gave several young prospects a chance to impress before Liverpool fly to the U.S.

Unfortunately, the result today was not what we wanted but they stayed fit.

READ MORE: What happened in behind-closed-doors friendly as Arne Slot runs rule over Liverpool stars
READ MORE: 5 things we noticed in Liverpool's behind-closed-doors friendly game vs Preston

"Many of them [the players] got minutes.

Also, the young players got a few minutes so that was a good thing," the Liverpool boss added.

Former Manchester United player Robbie Brady scored the only goal of the game for Preston, while Salah put Liverpool's best effort over the crossbar.

Liverpool will face elite opposition such as Real Betis, Arsenal, and Manchester United while it is in the U.S.

Liverpool will face Sevilla at Anfield upon its return to the UK for one final game before the 2024-25 season officially starts.

For now, Liverpool.com brings you the story of Friday's opening preseason game in pictures with the game not shown on TV.

Arne Slot looks on during his first preseason gameArne Slot confirmed the most important thing was "fitness" and players getting minutes rather than the result (Image: 2024 Liverpool FC)1 of 10Mohamed Salah in action with his new haircutMohamed Salah played the first half of Liverpool's 1-0 defeat and missed the team's best chance (Image: 2024 Liverpool FC)2 of 10Conor Bradley looking bright out wideIn the absence of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Conor Bradley operated down the right and put some dangerous crosses into the box (Image: 2024 Liverpool FC)3 of 10Curtis Jones getting stuck inCurtis Jones is hoping to impress Slot and become a regular starter this coming season (Image: 2024 Liverpool FC)4 of 10
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