'We have no-one available' - Liverpool boss Arne Slot explains unusual line-up as Reds secure victory over Real Betis in his first game in charge

Earlier this month, Liverpool suffered a 1-0 defeat to Preston North End in a behind-closed-doors friendly at their training ground. However, the victory against Real Betis signalled a positive start to their US tour and the new phase under Slot's leadership. Hungarian midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai opened the scoring in the 34th minute, capitalising on a precise pass from Mohamed Salah, which proved to be enough to seal a friendly victory over the La Liga outfit. Despite getting over the line, questions were raised about the formation used by the Dutch manager.

Slot introduced a fluid 4-2-4 formation, reflecting his preference for a slower, possession-based approach, which was a notable shift from Klopp's high-intensity gegenpressing style. The absence of regular strikers Darwin Nunez and Cody Gakpo, who are on extended breaks after participating in Copa America and Euro 2024 respectively, and the late return of Diogo Jota to pre-season training, left Slot with limited options. Young forward Jayden Danns was also sidelined due to injury, further reducing attacking choices. As a result, Szoboszlai and Harvey Elliott alternated in the attacking midfielder role, leaving Liverpool effectively without a traditional striker for much of the game.

Slot justified this decision by highlighting the necessity due to current circumstances and emphasised that it was a stop-gap measure to cover the current limitations.

"I think during the season you will see us play with a real striker," he told reporters after the match. "But at this moment we have no one available and then with Dom and Harvey [Elliott] we've got two No.10s, so we put them in the position they will play during the season as well. So that was one of the reasons why we played with a double 10 instead of with a striker. That is maybe out of necessity. But for the rest of the style of play with trying to build up from the back, that is our style – to control the game, to not concede constant counter-attacks. That will hopefully be our style during the season. There are also, of course, many things we can improve but that's normal after two weeks."

Liverpool's pre-season preparations continue as they will face Premier League rivals Manchester United and Arsenal next in their US tour on August 1 and August 4, respectively.