ByLiverpool fans have called on Arne Slot to replace one player in his side after watching him struggle in their opening pre-season friendly against Real Betis.
Liverpool’s pre-season opener under new head coach Slot saw them edge out Real Betis 1-0, thanks to a goal from Dominik Szoboszlai. While the team showed improvement in the second half, Wataru Endo’s performance in defensive midfield drew criticism from fans. Many expressed concerns about his effectiveness and called for a high-quality defensive midfielder to be signed, as Stefan Bajcetic is currently the only other option in that role.
Liverpool fans voiced strong opinions about their midfield options following the pre-season match. One fan suggested keeping Tyler Morton and Stefan Bajcetic while selling Wataru Endo to bring in a new starter. Last summer, Liverpool tried to sign Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia, both of whom ended up at Chelsea. The club eventually signed Endo from Stuttgart for £16.2m, but his performance has led to calls for a more established defensive midfielder.
Wataru Endo, who had a notable season last year with two goals in 43 appearances, may face scrutiny following his performance against Betis. After Liverpool’s pre-season victory, Slot acknowledged both positive and areas for improvement, highlighting the clean sheet as a key positive aspect of the game.
Slot noted that Liverpool’s defense was solid in their match against Betis, conceding only one significant chance late in the game. He praised the team’s control and highlighted the quality of their goal and attacking opportunities as positives. Liverpool’s pre-season tour of the United States continues with upcoming matches against Arsenal, Manchester United, and Sevilla.
Liverpool will kick off their Premier League season with a match against Ipswich on August 17, following their pre-season tour of the United States.
