Liverpool 2-1 Arsenal
Liverpool continued their impressive pre-season form with a 2-1 victory over Arsenal at the home stadium of the NFL’s Philadelphia Eagles, drawing a crowd of 69,879. The match saw Liverpool’s new Dutch manager, Arne Slot, secure a win in his first notable outing since replacing Jurgen Klopp.
Egyptian superstar Mohamed Salah opened the scoring for Liverpool in the 13th minute. Salah showcased his blistering pace to get onto a defense-splitting pass from Harvey Elliott, and with a deft touch, he fired a low left-footed shot past Arsenal’s goalkeeper Karl Hein. Salah’s goal highlighted his continued sharpness and readiness for the upcoming season.
Liverpool doubled their lead in the 34th minute with a goal from Fabio Carvalho. Once again, Elliott played a key role, delivering a perfectly lofted pass into the box. Carvalho, the 21-year-old Portuguese winger, demonstrated clinical finishing with a right-footed volley that squeezed through Hein’s legs.
Arsenal managed to pull one back just before halftime. Kai Havertz capitalized on a precise delivery from Martin Ødegaard to score from close range, making it 2-1. Despite their best efforts, Arsenal could not find an equalizer in the second half, and Liverpool held on for the win.
Chelsea 3-0 Club America
In another pre-season fixture held in San Diego, Chelsea had a convincing 3-0 win over Mexico’s Club America. The match marked a strong performance by Chelsea, with French striker Christopher Nkunku opening the scoring. Nkunku converted a penalty in the 3rd minute, setting the tone for the rest of the game.
Spanish talent Marc Guiu doubled Chelsea’s lead with a header in the 21st minute, showcasing his aerial prowess. Chelsea’s dominance continued as Noni Madueke added the third goal from a second penalty in the 79th minute, capping off a comprehensive win.
Manchester United 3-2 Real Betis
In San Diego, Manchester United edged out Real Betis 3-2 in a thrilling encounter. Real Betis initially took the lead with a goal from Iker Losada in the 15th minute. However, Manchester United quickly responded. Marcus Rashford converted a penalty in the 18th minute after being fouled by Romain Perraud.
Amad Diallo put United ahead in the 24th minute, and Casemiro extended the lead with a powerful left-footed strike in the 31st minute, making it 3-1 by halftime. Real Betis managed to pull one back in the 61st minute through a header from Diego Llorente, but it was not enough to overcome United’s advantage.
AC Milan 1-0 Real Madrid
In Chicago, AC Milan secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Real Madrid, thanks to a 55th-minute goal from Nigerian international Samuel Chukwueze. The match highlighted Milan’s defensive solidity and Chukwueze’s ability to make crucial contributions in tight games.
Overall, the pre-season fixtures showcased notable performances from several clubs, with Liverpool, Chelsea, and Manchester United delivering strong showings ahead of the new season. These matches not only provided valuable game time but also highlighted key players who are expected to make significant impacts in the coming campaign.
