Arne Slot was pleased with Liverpool’s performance in the 3-1 win over Yokohama F Marinos today but still wants his players to work harder in transition.
The Premier League champions fell behind to their Japanese hosts but hit back to secure a win in the Far East courtesy of a first Liverpool goal for summer signing Florian Wirtz and efforts from teenage substitutes Trey Nyoni and Rio Ngumoha.
Slot enjoyed Liverpool being tested
Yokohama posed plenty of problems for Liverpool but Slot had no qualms about facing opposition that tested his players.
He said: “A good game against an opponent that is already in the middle of the season [and] used to the circumstances over here. They made it an intense game for us, which is always nice to have in pre-season because this is also what we’re looking for. We want to have teams that can really compete with us and today was definitely one of them.
“I’ve seen a few very positive things. For example, us coming back after going 1-0 down, this is something that we did last season a lot of times; seeing players from the bench impacting the game.”
The Dutchman was not entirely satisfied with his team’s display, though.
He added: “More than a few times there were some very good moments in build-up, but what I also saw in the goal we conceded and in the first half the big chance we conceded was that we had to work harder in those moments to sprint back than we did. That is something that also happened to us when we played [AC] Milan. It could be with a tough training camp and it could be with the heat circumstances – but that’s something that we definitely have to improve towards [Athletic] Bilbao that we’re going to play as our next opponent.”
Teenagers impress in Japan
Although Wirtz starred and Hugo Ekitike made his debut, it was the youngsters that stole the show with Nyoni, 18, and 16-year-old Ngumoha netting late on.
Slot said: “Getting some very good players through the academy is always helpful and gives energy to a team as well. It’s always nice to see young players from 16, 17 or 18 years old already impacting a game.
“There was also a moment in the game where he [Ngumoha] should have squared it to Macca [Alexis Mac Allister] or Curtis [Jones]. So, [there were] also learning parts for him. If you are 16 and you can impact the game like he did, that’s definitely worth a compliment.”
We need to be ready for stronger Premier League – Slot
Slot led Liverpool to the Premier League crown in his first season in charge but insists that moment has now passed and his full focus is on the new campaign.
“I thought last season was already tough but if you look at what all the Premier League teams are doing, the Premier League is going to get even stronger than last season,” he said.
“We need to be ready for that – that’s where my full focus is at the moment, and over the last few weeks.
“We are making steps forward but I also didn’t forget that last season I went to Wembley, having to look at Newcastle lifting a trophy, and in two weeks we go there again. So, I hope we show a different face in that final, Community Shield, than we did in the League Cup final.”
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2025-07-30 17:03:14
