Liverpool have travelled to the United States as they continue their 2024/25 preparations and will take on Real Betis in their opening clash across the pond.
Arne Slot has overseen one match as Liverpool head coach to date, taking charge as his side fell to a disappointing 1-0 defeat to Championship Preston North End behind closed doors. The likes of Mohamed Salah, Dominik Szoboszlai and Harvey Elliott were all in action.
The Reds will be hoping for a better performance and result when they face Spanish side Real Betis in the early hours of Saturday morning in Pittsburgh. Their opening US encounter is quickly followed up by meetings with Premier League rivals Arsenal and Manchester United.
Here is 90min’s guide to Liverpool vs Real Betis this weekend.
Liverpool vs Real Betis H2H Record (All time)
Current form (all competitions)
|
Liverpool |
Real Betis |
|---|---|
|
Liverpool 0-1 Preston – 19/07/24 |
Austria Salzburg 1-5 Real Betis – 20/07/24 |
|
Liverpool 2-0 Wolves – 19/05/24 |
Real Madrid 0-0 Real Betis – 25/05/24 |
|
Aston Villa 3-3 Liverpool – 13/05/24 |
Real Betis 0-2 Real Sociedad – 19/05/24 |
|
Liverpool 4-2 Tottenham – 05/05/24 |
Las Palmas 2-2 Real Betis – 16/05/24 |
|
West Ham 2-2 Liverpool – 27/04/24 |
Real Betis 3-2 Almeria – 12/05/24 |
|
Country |
TV channel/live stream |
|---|---|
|
United Kingdom |
LFCTV, LFCTV GO (subscription required) |
|
United States |
ESPN+, ESPN App, ESPN Deportes, fuboTV |
|
Canada |
N/A |
Our initial 28-man travelling squad for the Reds’ pre-season tour of the US 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/37as3Pjaoq
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) July 23, 2024
The majority of Liverpool’s initial 28-player squad travelling to the United States is made up of inexperienced academy products, although the likes of Salah, Szoboszlai, Elliott, Curtis Jones, Wataru Endo and Andy Robertson all made the plane. Others may team up with the Reds at a later date.
Slot named a strong starting XI against Preston and is likely to do the same against Betis, with younger players introduced later in the match. Unfortunately, both Jayden Danns and Bobby Clark missed out through injury, while a host of first-teamers are still on holiday after international action.
While Robertson has joined the squad for the tour, he is unable to play for a few weeks due to an injury he sustained prior to Euro 2024.
Liverpool predicted lineup vs Real Betis (4-3-3): Kelleher; Bradley, Van den Berg, Quansah, Tsimikas; Elliott, Endo, Szoboszlai; Doak, Salah, Carvalho.
✈🇺🇸⚽
Heading to the second stage of the preseason!#UniteStatesOfBetis pic.twitter.com/sRIflNuVZB
— Real Betis Balompié (@RealBetis_en) July 24, 2024
Adrian returned to boyhood club Betis on a free transfer despite a contract offer from Liverpool, with the veteran Spaniard meeting some familiar faces in Pittsburgh just weeks after his Anfield exit. He’s likely to get minutes, as are former Premier League players Hector Bellerin, Pablo Fornals and Marc Roca.
Nabil Fekir almost signed for Liverpool in 2018 but a move failed to materialise despite him completing a medical. He has travelled to the United States and should start in the final third.
Real Betis predicted lineup vs Liverpool (4-2-3-1): Adrian; Bellerin, Bartra, Llorente, Perraud; Carvalho, Johnny; Rodri, Fekir, Fornals; Juanmi.
Slot will be eager to get his first victory under his belt, even if only in a pre-season friendly. However, what’s most important at the beginning of this new era is performance levels, with a number of youngsters and fringe players looking to impress the Dutchman.
Betis will pose a stern test and friendlies do have the ability to throw up some strange results, but Slot should bag his first win ahead of challenging tests against Premier League opposition.