Liverpool played Sevilla in a pre-season friendly at Anfield on Sunday (Image: Getty)

Liverpool beat Sevilla 4-1 at Anfield on Sunday in the first of two pre-season friendlies. They controlled the game.

Arne Slot’s team plays Ipswich Town at Portman Road on Saturday. The Dutch manager put together a strong lineup to see how fit and well-coordinated his team is before their Premier League start.

There were no questions at all after Diogo Jota scored the first goal and Luis Diaz added two more to give the Reds a lead that looked impossible to lose on a sunny afternoon in Merseyside. The goal was saved by a curling shot from young player Peque, and then Liverpool’s fourth goal was scored by Trey Nyoni, who is 17 years old.

The work of Slot’s team is rated by Express Sport after a great game. They still have to play Las Palmas in another test.

Alisson Becker 6/10

Didn’t have a lot to do in the first half with Sevilla rarely troubling the Brazilian, but he exhibited composure with the ball at his feet.

Trent Alexander-Arnold 7/10

Playing as a natural full-back rather than being inverted, Alexander-Arnold seemed to be more suited to the possession-based game that Slot plays and put a number of dangerous balls into the box.

Jarrell Quansah 5.5/10

Had a huge let-off after his heavy first touch saw Muzambo race onto the intercepted ball, but the youngster lost his footing and somehow skied his effort with 14 minutes on the clock. Still only 21, he has some fine tuning to do if he is start alongside Van Dijk regularly.

Virgil van Dijk 7/10

Reliable as ever at the back, the Dutchman kept Kelechi Iheanacho at an arm’s length and dealt professionally with everything that came his way.

Kostas Tsimikas 6/10

Nothing spectacular to speak of from the Greek, who goes about his job without thrills or drama. Notably, he was chosen to take free-kicks from the left-hand side

Alexis Mac Allister 7/10

The Argentinian might have been a bit short of fitness because he wasn’t quick to close down in midfield, instead patrolling and choosing to stay back in the No. 6 role alongside Gravenberch. Pinpoint pass to help set up the third goal.

There were no doubts whatsoever as Diogo Jota opened the scoring before Luis Diaz added a brace of his own to give the Reds a seemingly unassailable lead on a sunny afternoon on Merseyside. Young winger Peque curled home a consolation before 17-year-old Trey Nyoni fired home brilliantly to get Liverpool’s fourth.

 

Arne Slot was happy with his side’s performance against Sevilla (Image: Getty)

Alisson Becker 6/10

Didn’t have a lot to do in the first half with Sevilla rarely troubling the Brazilian, but he exhibited composure with the ball at his feet.

Trent Alexander-Arnold 7/10

Playing as a natural full-back rather than being inverted, Alexander-Arnold seemed to be more suited to the possession-based game that Slot plays and put a number of dangerous balls into the box.

Jarrell Quansah 5.5/10

Had a huge let-off after his heavy first touch saw Muzambo race onto the intercepted ball, but the youngster lost his footing and somehow skied his effort with 14 minutes on the clock. Still only 21, he has some fine tuning to do if he is start alongside Van Dijk regularly.

Virgil van Dijk kept the Liverpool backline organised (Image: Getty)

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Virgil van Dijk 7/10

Reliable as ever at the back, the Dutchman kept Kelechi Iheanacho at an arm’s length and dealt professionally with everything that came his way.

Kostas Tsimikas 6/10

Nothing spectacular to speak of from the Greek, who goes about his job without thrills or drama. Notably, he was chosen to take free-kicks from the left-hand side

Alexis Mac Allister 7/10

The Argentinian might have been a bit short of fitness because he wasn’t quick to close down in midfield, instead patrolling and choosing to stay back in the No. 6 role alongside Gravenberch. Pinpoint pass to help set up the third goal.

 

Dominik Szoboszlai assisted Luis Diaz for the third goal (Image: Getty)

Ryan Gravenberch 6/10

Some sloppy passes in the midfield and Diaz made it known to him he expected better after bellowing at the Dutchman.

Dominik Szoboszlai 7/10

At the tip of the midfield triangle, the Hungarian was afforded freedom to roam in between the lines. But with most of the play emerging from the flanks, Szoboszlai didn’t have much of the ball. When he did, he unselfishly squared to Diaz to make it 3-0.

Mohamed Salah 7/10

Barely involved involved in the first 20 minutes and when he did get the ball, Adria Pedraza was able to snuff out his threat. But the Egyptian grew into the match and was unlucky not to find the net with a trademark curling effort.

Luis Diaz fires home the first of his two goals for Liverpool (Image: Getty)

Diogo Jota 9/10

Handed a central role in the front three, Jota buzzed around the pockets of space near to Diaz and Salah to link up with the pair. He found himself in the right place at the right time to meet a lofted ball and volleyed it home into the top corner to cap a fabulous strike. Then he showed his class to set up Diaz for his goal.

Luis Diaz 10/10

What a performance. The Colombian looked sharp and desperate to get his first goal in pre-season after his participation in the Copa America. He got two. Operating from the left, Sevilla’s defenders didn’t want to go near him as they ran at them with pace and confidence oozing from his boots. And he capped an impressive half with a superb strike into the top corner before tapping home the second.

Trent Nyoni came off the bench to score for Liverpool (Image: Getty)

Substitutes

Viteszlav Jaros (on 62′) 6/10

Could do little to keep out Peque’s fine goal just after coming on for Alisson.

Trey Nyoni (on 62′) 8/10

He only turned 17 in June, but the youngster continues to go strength to strength. Rifled home a fabulous strike just five minutes after coming on for Diaz.

Joe Gomez (on 74′)

Luca Stephenson (on 74′)

Stefan Bajcetic (on 74′)

Tyler Morton (on 82′)