Liverpool supporters are urging Arne Slot to replace a player following his poor performance in their pre-season match against Real Betis.
Liverpool secured a 1-0 victory in their first pre-season game, which was Slot’s debut as head coach after taking over from Jurgen Klopp. The match took place at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with Dominik Szoboszlai netting the only goal midway through the first half.
Although Liverpool emerged victorious, the team had a challenging first half but showed improvement after halftime. Slot will likely be satisfied with the overall performance but has areas that need addressing before the Premier League season begins.
One key issue is the No 6 position, which is seen as a critical area needing reinforcement for Liverpool to be competitive for the title.
Wataru Endo, who started as the defensive midfielder, had a notably poor game, frequently losing possession and conceding several free-kicks. Fans were quick to voice their dissatisfaction, suggesting the need for a top-class No 6, with Stefan Bajcetic being the only other experienced defensive midfielder currently in the squad.
One fan criticized Endo harshly on X, while others expressed a desire to replace him with either Tyler Morton or Bajcetic and bring in a new starter.
Liverpool had previously sought to sign Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia last summer, but both players joined Chelsea. The club eventually signed Endo from Stuttgart for £16.2 million. Despite his efforts last season, Slot may now consider other options following his performance against Betis.
After the match, Slot reflected on the positives, noting that the team kept a clean sheet and controlled the game well, despite conceding one significant chance towards the end. Liverpool will next play against Arsenal on their pre-season tour of the United States, followed by matches against Manchester United and Sevilla, before their Premier League opener against Ipswich on August 17.