Pre-season friendlies: What we learned from weekend action
The Premier League is just around the corner, and clubs across the league are using the pre-season period to get up to speed and prepare for the long, grueling season ahead. This past weekend saw 15 teams in action, with plenty of intriguing storylines and glimpses of what we might expect when the real action begins in August. Let’s take a closer look at some of the key takeaways from these pre-season friendlies.
- Liverpool under new manager Arne Slot showed promise in their pre-season friendly despite a 1-0 defeat, with a focus on controlling the game and creating chances.
- Manchester United secured their first win of pre-season with a 2-0 victory over Rangers, with 18-year-old Leny Yoro impressing on his debut.
- Arne Slot is implementing his own style of play at Liverpool, lining up the team in a 4-3-3 formation similar to Jurgen Klopp’s tactics.
- Liverpool stars like Mohamed Salah, Dominik Szoboszlai, Harvey Elliott, and Conor Bradley featured in the friendly, offering fans a glimpse of the team’s future under Slot.
- Jadon Sancho made his return to the pitch for Manchester United in their pre-season match against Rangers.
- Liverpool and Manchester United are gearing up for the new season with further pre-season matches and preparations to hit the ground running in the Premier League.
Liverpool’s new era under Arne Slot
Liverpool’s new manager, Arne Slot, got his first taste of competitive action as the Reds took on Preston North End in a behind-closed-doors friendly. While the result wasn’t what Slot would have wanted – a 1-0 defeat to the Championship side – he saw plenty of positives in the performance. He’s already implementing his own style of play, lining up Liverpool in a 4-3-3 formation, similar to the one employed under former manager Jurgen Klopp. Stars like Mohamed Salah, Dominik Szoboszlai, Harvey Elliott, and Conor Bradley all featured, giving fans a glimpse of the future. As Slot pointed out, Liverpool dominated possession and created chances, but they were ultimately undone by a single moment of brilliance from Preston.
Slot’s comments after the game were encouraging, highlighting his focus on controlling the game and creating chances. He’s clearly a manager who demands a high level of performance, and it’s exciting to see how his vision for the team will unfold in the coming weeks and months. Liverpool are heading to the US for further pre-season matches, and they’ll be looking to build on their positive performances so far and hit the ground running in the Premier League.
Manchester United’s first win of pre-season
Manchester United got their pre-season campaign off to a winning start with a 2-0 victory over Rangers. The win was a welcome boost for Erik ten Hag, who will be looking to build on last season’s impressive performance. One of the most notable aspects of the match was the performance of 18-year-old Leny Yoro, who signed from Lille just days before the match. Yoro impressed on his debut, showcasing his composure and ability to handle the pressure of playing for a club like Manchester United. Jadon Sancho also made his return to the pitch, playing his first game for the club since August 2023, signaling a potential resurgence for the talented winger.
The win over Rangers, coupled with the impressive performances of new signings like Yoro and Sancho, is a promising sign for Manchester United. Ten Hag is clearly building a squad capable of challenging for trophies, and their pre-season tour of the US will provide further opportunities for his players to gel and prepare for the upcoming season. Manchester United will face Arsenal in their first match in the US, a match that will be a real test of their progress under Ten Hag.
Spurs continue their winning ways
Tottenham Hotspur picked up their second win in as many pre-season matches, defeating QPR 2-0 at Loftus Road. The victory was particularly impressive given that Tottenham had just played a demanding match against West Ham earlier in the week. Yves Bissouma opened the scoring with a moment of individual brilliance, showcasing his technical and creative skills. Dane Scarlett added a second goal late in the game to seal the win.
One of the main takeaways from the match was the continued impressive form of Archie Gray, who once again lined up at center-back. Gray is a young player with immense potential, and his performances in pre-season have been a testament to his talent and adaptability. However, there was a slight concern surrounding Lucas Bergvall, who was forced off the pitch after 25 minutes due to a knock. Hopefully, the injury is not serious, and Bergvall will be back on the pitch soon. Tottenham are heading to Japan for their next set of pre-season matches, and they’ll be looking to continue their winning momentum.
Everton’s fightback
Everton fought back from 2-0 down to draw 3-3 with Sligo Rovers in a pre-season friendly. The draw was a positive result for the Toffees, who showed resilience and determination to come back from a difficult start. Youssef Chermiti played a key role in the comeback, scoring two goals and proving his ability to find the back of the net. Chermiti had a slow first season at Everton, but his pre-season form suggests that he could be ready to make a significant impact this year.
Sean Dyche will be pleased with the performances of a number of players in the second half. Tim Iroegbunam, a summer signing, looked assured in midfield, adding further depth to Everton’s midfield options. The draw was a positive start to pre-season for Everton, and the match provided Dyche with valuable insights into the strengths and weaknesses of his squad. Everton will face Salford City in their next match, and they’ll be looking to build on their positive showing in Ireland.
Crystal Palace’s draw with Charlton
Crystal Palace played out a 1-1 draw with Charlton Athletic in their second pre-season match. The Eagles will be a bit disappointed to concede a late equaliser, but the match provided Palace manager Roy Hodgson with valuable opportunities to assess his squad and integrate new signings into the team. New signings Chadi Riad and Daichi Kamada both started for Palace, and Kamada played a key role in the game, setting up Jesurun Rak-Sakyi’s equalizer with a clever pass.
The performance of Riad and Kamada is a promising sign for Palace supporters, who will be hoping that the new signings can make a significant contribution to the team in the upcoming season. Hodgson will be looking to build on the positive aspects of the match against Charlton and prepare his team for their next pre-season match against Crawley Town.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s wing wizards
Nottingham Forest continued their pre-season preparations with a 1-1 draw against Sunderland. The match was a good opportunity for Nuno Espirito Santo to experiment with his squad and see how different players perform in various roles. The manager has been particularly impressed with his wingers, who have been the main creators in Forest’s two pre-season matches. Callum Hudson-Odoi produced two assists in a 3-0 win over Chesterfield, while Anthony Elanga provided the key pass for Omar Richards’ equalizer against Sunderland.
The performances of these wingers are promising signs for Forest, who will be looking to improve on their performance from last season. Nuno Espirito Santo is clearly building a team with a clear identity, and the pre-season matches have provided him with valuable insights into the strengths and weaknesses of his squad. Forest will next face Millwall in Murcia, Spain, and they will be looking to build on their positive start to pre-season.
Pre-season friendlies are a crucial part of the football calendar, allowing managers to experiment with tactics, try out new players, and build team cohesion. As we’ve seen from the weekend’s action, there have been plenty of exciting moments and intriguing storylines, offering a glimpse into what we might expect from the Premier League in the coming season. We’ll continue to follow the pre-season action closely, keeping you up-to-date with all the key developments and storylines as the teams prepare for the big kick-off.
