The Arne Slot era begins, and it will do so in the “Steel City.” Liverpool FC have already completed a preseason friendly, but it was behind closed doors. Now we’ll see the new manager and his revamped team play in public for the very first time. They will head to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where they’ll face Real Betis at the home of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Acrisure Stadium. One guy who won’t be there is team captain Virgil van Dijk.
He’s on holiday, after having made a deep run in the Euros with the Netherlands.
Preseason Friendly FYIs
Liverpool FC vs Real Betis
Kickoff (local time): Fri July 26, 7:30 pm, Acrisure Stadium, Pittsburgh, CA, USA
Liverpool Preview Content: Team News Starting XI Prediction
Transatlantic Passage: How the Premier League Redefined Soccer in America: LINK
He’s also been heavily linked with a move away this summer transfer window, for what it is worth. Liverpool will be without the services of several other players due to their involvement in Euro 2024 (and the Copa America as well). That list includes the likes of Alexis Mac Allister, Darwin Nunez, Ryan Gravenberch, Diogo Jota, Cody Gakpo, Ibrahima Konate, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joe Gomez, Alisson Becker and Luis Diaz.
Like Van Dijk, Nat Phillips is a center back who has strongly linked with an exit this summer, but he made the trip across the pond.
Two guys who didn’t, due to injury, are Jayden Danns and Bobby Clark.
Paul M. Banks is the Founding Editor of The Sports Bank. He’s also the author of “Transatlantic Passage: How the English Premier League Redefined Soccer in America,” and “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry.”
He currently contributes to Ravens Wire, part of the USA Today SMG’s NFL Wire Network and the Internet Baseball Writers Association of America. His past bylines include the New York Daily News, Sports Illustrated, Chicago Tribune and the Washington Times. You can follow him on Linked In and Twitter.