Liverpool manager Arne Slot’s debut at Anfield ended with a decisive 4-1 victory against Sevilla. Slot took over the Reds after Jurgen Klopp’s departure, and his team entered the match following a successful pre-season tour in the United States, where they secured wins against Real Betis, Arsenal, and Manchester United.
Diogo Jota opened the scoring for Liverpool, converting a first-time left-foot volley from Trent Alexander-Arnold’s pass. Key players such as Alexander-Arnold, Alisson Becker, Luis Diaz, Virgil van Dijk, and Alexis Mac Allister made their first pre-season appearances in this match.
Luis Diaz doubled the lead before halftime, netting two goals after being assisted by Jota and Dominik Szoboszlai. Sevilla managed to pull one back through Peque Fernandez after the break, but 17-year-old Liverpool substitute Trey Nyoni sealed the victory with a well-placed finish for Liverpool’s fourth goal.
In a subsequent behind-closed-doors friendly at Anfield, Liverpool faced Las Palmas, where Darwin Nunez made his first pre-season appearance after returning from Copa America duty with Uruguay. Scotland left-back Andy Robertson, returning from injury, came closest to scoring, but his shot hit the post in a goalless draw.
Meanwhile, Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca was also making his debut at Stamford Bridge, where the Blues drew 1-1 with Italian champions Inter Milan. Maresca succeeded Mauricio Pochettino in the summer and had forwards Cole Palmer and defender Marc Cucurella available for the match after their return from Euro 2024.
Inter took the lead through Marcus Thuram, but Chelsea equalized late in the game with a goal from Lesley Ugochukwu. Chelsea fans also saw new signing Pedro Neto introduced at halftime; the Portuguese forward joined the club for an initial fee of £51.3 million, with a potential additional £2.6 million in add-ons.
Arsenal concluded their pre-season with a solid 2-0 win against Lyon. Defenders William Saliba and Gabriel scored with headers from corners taken by Declan Rice in the first half. Italy defender Riccardo Calafiori, who joined the Gunners from Bologna this summer, made his debut by replacing Oleksandr Zinchenko in the second half.
Crystal Palace, whose defenders Marc Guehi and Joachim Andersen have been linked with moves away from the club, played to a 1-1 draw against Nantes. Jean-Charles Castelletto scored first for the French side, but Daichi Kamada equalized for Palace.
