Liverpool beaten by Preston North End in pre-season friendly as Mo Salah and other stars feature

Arne Slot’s side lost to Championship opposition at the AXA Training Centre.

Liverpool suffered a 1-0 defeat to Preston North End in a behind-closed-doors friendly on Friday afternoon.

Confirmation of the fixture was reported on social media, although no kick-off time was given and fans were not permitted to watch the game at Liverpool’s AXA Training Centre.

Championship side PNE’s official Twitter account announced that they had won the game 1-0, with Republic of Ireland international Robbie Brady scoring an ‘incredible 40-yard lob’. Unfortunately, as footage of the match likely won’t be released, fans might just have to imagine how that one looked.

Liverpool fielded a relatively strong squad in what was new manager Arne Slot’s unofficial first game in charge.

Mo Salah, Dominik Szoboszlai, Jarell Quansah were among those to feature in the first half XI, as per journalist David Lynch.

The second half XI saw more youngsters given an opportunity, although established first team players Wataru Endo and Stefan Bajcetic were both involved.

Twitter/David Lynch

As per the Liverpool Echo, Slot used a total of 25 players across the 90 minutes, with Salah captaining the side during his first half appearance.

There is the usual pre-season caveat for worried Liverpool fans, though. While this was their first 90 minutes of pre-season, their Championship opposition had played three friendlies before this one and had a full pre-season training camp in Spain.

Ryan Lowe’s side themselves lost to National League North side Southport on Tuesday, showing the true volatility of pre-season matches.

For both sides, the priority will have been to gain further match fitness, with North End’s Championship season starting on August 9.

The scoreline nonetheless will have been pleasing for Lowe, who represented Liverpool at academy level, and the two clubs have developed a close relationship in recent seasons.

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PNE allowed the Reds to use their Deepdale stadium for a pre-season friendly against German side Darmstadt last year, and numerous transfer and loan deals have been completed between the two sides.

Liverpool’s first televised match of their pre-season schedule will take place on July 27, with Slot’s side taking on Real Betis as part of their United States tour.