Things spotted as Liverpool lose behind-closed-doors friendly to Preston North End at AXA Training Centre

06:00, 20 Jul 2024

Fabio Carvalho of Liverpool during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool and Preston North End at AXA Training Centre(Image: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Arne Slot’s Liverpool reign and maiden pre-season is officially underway!



While the Dutchman will have to wait until Saturday, July 27 for his first official friendly as Reds head coach, he took charge of his inherited side at the AXA Training Centre for the first time on Friday.

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Facing off in a behind-closed-doors friendly, Liverpool fell to a 1-0 defeat to Preston North End as Robbie Brady scored the only goal of the game for the Championship outfit.

But while the Reds are still without 11 of their international players, who progressed to the knockout stages of Euro 2024 and Copa America, Slot was still able to name a relatively strong side against the Lilywhites.

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With Mohamed Salah the star name in action, here’s what the ECHO spotted from Slot’s unofficial debut in charge…

READ MORE:Liverpool suffer friendly defeat to Preston as Arne Slot given first selection hintsREAD MORE:Arne Slot reacts after Liverpool suffer Preston friendly defeat

Captain Mo

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However, it was actually the Portuguese who lined up through the middle, with the right-footed young Scot instead implemented on the left as opposed to his favoured flank, and the Egyptian in his traditional right-wing role.

But with Darwin Nunez, Cody Gakpo, Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota all not due back until after Liverpool have departed for the start of their pre-season tour of the United States, this makeshift attack will be a sign of things to come for Slot’s initial friendly fixtures.

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Mohamed Salah of Liverpool during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool and Preston North End at AXA Training Centre(Image: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Szoboszlai subbed early as pair absent

Dominik Szoboszlai was substituted after only 33 minutes against Preston, as Wataru Endo was brought on in his place.

Speculation continues about his future with it unclear why the Republic of Ireland international did not play.

Dominik Szoboszlai of Liverpool during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool and Preston North End at AXA Training Centre(Image: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

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Once a Blue, now a Red

Former Everton defender John Heitinga was appointed as first team assistant coach by Liverpool this week, with the Dutchman already in place behind the scenes at the AXA Training Centre.

In one picture from the friendly, he was spotted sitting on the bench behind Slot as his compatriot oversaw proceedings.

The former West Ham United assistant manager was in a Reds tracksuit, though a well-placed laptop covered up the Liverbird upon his chest on this occasion as he continues to acclimatise after crossing the Merseyside divide.

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Still, the sight of the Dutchman in Liverpool colours is not one we're going to get used to just yet!

Arne Slot head coach of Liverpool during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool and Preston North End at AXA Training Centre (Image: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Doak returns as Carvalho and Van den Berg start

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Doak might have been due to represent Scotland at Euro 2024 before withdrawing from the squad because of injury, but his start against Preston was actually his first action since suffering a knee injury for the Under-21s against Chelsea back in December.

Working hard to get fit in the close-reason, he was rewarded with a start by Slot as he looks to make up for lost time this summer.

He wasn’t the only returning face involved against North End though, with Carvalho, Jaros and Sepp van Den Berg all starting after loan stints away, and Harvey Davies, Luca Stephenson, Nat Phillips, Luke Chambers, Owen Beck and Tyler Morton handed minutes in the second half after their own temporary departures.

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Sepp van den Berg of Liverpool during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool and Preston North End at AXA Training Centre(Image: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Van den Berg faces an uncertain future at Anfield in particular, having previously admitted he would like to leave the club.
For more news relating to Everton, visit our sister site EFC Live.