Rivals in Red: What we learned from Liverpool & Arsenal’s exciting preseason clash in Philadelphia

Last night Arne Slot’s Liverpool beat out Mikel Arteta and The Gunners by a score of 2-1 in front of a historic crowd at Lincoln Financial Field – 69,879 fans, a sell-out and a new attendance record for soccer games held at The Linc, home of the NFL’s Philadelphia Eagles.

The pre-season meeting between the two Premier League Clubs in Philadelphia was highlighted by Mo Salah and Fabio Carvalho’s opening half goals, both wonderfully assisted by 21-year-old Harvey Elliott.

Arsenal’s Kai Havertz would draw one back before half-time, but Arteta’s side couldn’t unlock a make-shift Liverpool backline to find the equalizer, giving Arne Slot his first victory against League opposition.

Rivals in Red: Starting XI

Liverpool

Liverpool’s Starting XI saw just 1 change from the side that beat Real Betis in the first match of their US tour – Diogo Jota made his first appearance of pre-season, with Wataru Endo making his way to the bench for the start of this one.

Arsenal

With players arriving for pre-season duty a few days ago, Mikel Arteta’s side saw 5 changes from the lineup that beat Manchester United earlier in their US tour. Jakub Kiwior, Gabriel, Thomas Partey, Kai Havertz, and Gabriel Martinelli all got the nod in the starting XI, as Ayden Heaven, Jurrien Timber, Jorginho, Ethan Nwaneri, and Leandro Trossard starting the night on the bench.

Rivals in Red: Match Highlights

Mo Salah finishes off an “Arne Ball” build-up

If Liverpool fans want to get excited about life under Arne Slot, look no further than Liverpool’s opening goal against Arsenal. With The Gunners pressing high up the pitch, Slot and his side stayed true to their new ethos of playing out of the back, being comfortable in tight spaces, and exploiting those windows with precise passes through the midfield to break their way up the pitch.

In the 14h minute, Liverpool bounced the ball around their backline, with Kelleher eventually pinging a ball towards the center-circle for Diogo Jota. Jota headed the ball down in the path of Harvey Elliott, who played a perfect ball between Arsenal’s defenders that sent Mo Salah in alone on net.

Mo Salah doesn’t miss on opportunities like that, and Liverpool jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in front of an energized crowd at The Linc.

Liverpool Youth Link-Up for Winner

In the 35th minute of the game, two Liverpool youngsters linked up for what would end up being the match’s winning goal. Harvey Elliott received the ball just outside the penalty area and scooped a pin-point pass over the defense and into the patch of Fabio Carvalho, who volleyed the ball into the back of the net with his right foot, and giving Liverpool a 2-0 advantage.

Havertz Brings Arsenal within 1

Arsenal’s Kai Havertz would pull one back in the 40th minute courtesy of a Martin Ødegaard Assist, where Ødegaard collected the ball in the box on a recycled play, and squared a pass to Havertz waiting for a tap-in inside the 6-yard area.

Kelleher Called Upon for Big Save

In the 68th minute of the game and Arsenal looking for an equalizer, Fabio Viera found himself in the penalty area with the ball at his feet. Viera struck the ball well with his right foot, but Caoimhin Kelleher was well-positioned and made a strong save to maintain Liverpool’s 2-1 lead.

Arne Slot’s first win against Premier League Opposition

Even though it’s just pre-season, Arne Slot got the first win of his Liverpool career out of the way last week against Real Betis, but getting that first win against Premier League opposition has to feel reassuring that what he’s building is worthwhile, and Slot and his Liverpool team were met with an animated applause at the full-time whistle in Philadelphia.

A Shining display of Soccer in a 4-4 sports city

It was a record-setting night for soccer in Philadelphia, and a small glimpse into what things could be like come 2 Summers from now when the FIFA World Cup makes it’s way to Philadelphia and Lincoln Financial Field.

After the match, both managers offered quick thoughts on Lincoln Financial Field as a host for soccer on the big stage, giving their stamp of approval.

Will soccer ever be quite as big as the other 4 major pro teams in Philadelphia? Probably not – at least not for a while. Building fan passion and loyalty to the status of teams like the Eagles, hosts of Thursday’s event, takes decades if not centuries of partnership. But after the scenes we saw at The Linc on Wednesday, undoubtedly there’s still room for soccer to grow in this 4-for-4 city.

Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports