Arne Slot has loved a constructive first pre-season at Liverpool together with his key gamers staying match, one thing that may’t be mentioned for all of the Reds’ rival groups.
Whereas Slot has needed to cope with a number of of his gamers returning simply this week to the membership, this isn’t a problem distinctive to Liverpool.
There’s a constructive temper, although, prevailing at Anfield regardless of the beginning of a brand new period bringing so many uncertainties and unknowns.
Right here we take a look at how Liverpool’s rivals have been getting on and the way they’re shaping up for the brand new season.
Man Metropolis
Video games performed: 4Games remaining: 1Season opener: Chelsea (A) – Aug 18
Like Liverpool, Man Metropolis have needed to cope with lots of their gamers coming again late as a result of their participation deep into Euro 2024 and the Copa America.
For followers, their pre-season video games have been thrilling if not utterly satisfying for Pep Guardiola.
Their run of 4 video games within the USA started with successive defeats – a 4-3 loss to Celtic was adopted by a 3-2 defeat towards AC Milan.
After drawing towards Barcelona, the tour got here to an finish with a gown rehearsal for his or her Premier League opener towards Chelsea because the groups met in Columbus and Man Metropolis received 4-2.
Forward of the brand new season, Erling Haaland is wanting as sharp as ever and will probably be keen to check Man United‘s makeshift defence on this Saturday’s Neighborhood Defend match.
Arsenal
Video games performed: 3Games remaining: 2Season opener: Wolves (H) – Aug 17
The USA was a well-liked vacation spot for golf equipment this summer time and Arsenal had been one of many three ‘Rivals in Pink’, additionally that includes Liverpool and Man United, that performed one another.
Arsenal are properly into their first cycle beneath Mikel Arteta and pre-season can have acted as extra time for consolidation relatively than a possibility to implement a brand new fashion.
New defender Riccardo Calafiori joined up with the squad whereas they had been in Philadelphia and is anticipated to be concerned of their remaining friendlies, towards Bayer Leverkusen and Lyon.
Aston Villa
Video games performed: 5Games remaining: 2Season opener: West Ham (A) – Aug 17
Whereas Aston Villa aren’t a workforce that instantly spring to thoughts once you consider a direct rival for Liverpool, it is just truthful that we be aware of their preparations given their spectacular fourth-placed end final season.
They’ve misplaced influential midfielder Douglas Luiz however the membership has reinvested within the squad, bringing in Amadou Onana for £50 million in addition to finishing the double signing of Samuel Iling-Junior and Enzo Barrenechea from Juventus for £18.6 million.
Unai Emery’s aspect has performed loads of soccer over the summer time, collaborating in 5 video games already with one other two lined up earlier than their opener towards West Ham.
Chelsea
Video games performed: 4Games remaining: 1Season opener: Man Metropolis (H) – Aug 18
One other summer time switch window has meant one other interval of instability at Chelsea.
They’ve determined to pressure Conor Gallagher out to Atletico Madrid whereas signing Kiernan Dewsbury-Corridor for £30 million from Leicester.
In the meantime, Romelu Lukaku stays on the membership however hasn’t featured in pre-season.
On the pitch, like Man Metropolis, Chelsea misplaced to a pointy Celtic aspect however then beat Membership America earlier than their assembly with Guardiola’s workforce.
Previous to their video games towards high-profile opposition,, the Blues drew 2-2 with Wrexham in supervisor Enzo Maresca’s first recreation.
Tottenham
Video games performed: 5Games remaining: 1Season opener: Leicester (A) – Aug 19
It has been a reasonably quiet summer time at Tottenham as they purpose to start out this season like they did the final.
Ange Postecoglou has added Leeds‘ younger midfielder, Archie Grey, for about £30 million and has let Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg depart for Marseille on mortgage.
After wins towards Hearts and QPR, Tottenham flew out to Asia the place they’ve performed video games in Japan and South Korea.
In Seoul, they misplaced 2-1 to Bayern Munich however they are going to have one other probability to beat the Germans once they play once more on the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on August 10.
Man United
Video games performed: 5Games remaining: 1Season opener: Fulham (H) – Aug 16
Issues couldn’t have gone a lot worse for Man United over the previous couple of weeks.
They started pre-season with defeat to Rosenborg and a win towards Rangers, earlier than heading to the US the place they misplaced to Arsenal and Liverpool however beat Actual Betis.
It’s within the harm division, nevertheless, the place Erik ten Hag’s squad has taken a major hit.
New £52 million signing Leny Yoro has needed to bear surgical procedure on his foot and faces three months out, whereas Rasmus Hojlund has suffered a hamstring harm and has been dominated out till after the September worldwide break.
As well as, Jonny Evans, Victor Lindelof and Harry Maguire all picked up issues on their US tour – their Neighborhood Defend match towards Man Metropolis may very well be a really fascinating watch.
