Liverpool’s Preseason Stars and the Tactical Clues They’ve Left Behind

For Liverpool, preseason 2025 wasn’t just a formality — it was a foundation.

Under Arne Slot’s watchful eye, the Reds embarked on a summer tour that offered more than just conditioning and cohesion. It offered clarity. While these games may not count in the record books, they’ve already shaped the story of the season to come.

With marquee arrivals, a shift in tactical identity, and an influx of youth into senior setups, Liverpool’s matches against Yokohama F. Marinos, AC Milan, and Athletic Bilbao revealed who’s ready, who’s rising, and how this team might function under Slot’s vision.

Some names delivered as expected. Others emerged out of nowhere. But together, they’ve painted a picture of where this Liverpool side is headed.

Florian Wirtz Makes His Mark Early

Liverpool’s first preseason game — a lively 3–2 win over Yokohama F. Marinos in Tokyo — opened with an immediate statement from Florian Wirtz.

Just 14 minutes into his unofficial debut, the £100 million signing drifted effortlessly between the lines, arriving late in the box to sweep home a precise cutback from Gakpo. From there, Wirtz ran the show, completing 91% of his passes and creating four clear chances — remarkable numbers for a player adjusting to a new league, new teammates, and a new system.

But Wirtz’s true impact lay in his rhythm. He was never static. Always popping up between midfield and attack, manipulating defenders with subtle movement. He looked like the piece Liverpool have been missing since Philippe Coutinho's departure — a proper No. 10 with timing and touch.

Szoboszlai Shines in Slot’s System

Three days later, in Las Vegas, Dominik Szoboszlai added another layer to Liverpool’s new midfield identity in a 4–2 loss to AC Milan.

Stationed slightly deeper than usual, the Hungarian international still managed to stamp his authority all over the match — scoring a thunderous opener from distance, winning four tackles, and completing more progressive carries than any other player on the pitch.

But it wasn’t just the defensive numbers. Szoboszlai’s engine and control allowed Liverpool to dictate tempo in midfield, especially during long stretches of Milan pressure. He led the team in final-third passes and looked every bit the bridge between Slot’s aggressive pressing style and a more patient build-up phase.

He’s not just adjusting to this system — he’s becoming the system.

Gakpo’s Versatility Becomes Vital

If there’s one player who’s made himself nearly undroppable this summer, it’s Cody Gakpo.

Slot used the Dutchman as a false nine, a left winger, and even as a second striker in transition phases — and Gakpo thrived in each role. Against AC Milan, he capped his performance with a looping header from a Wirtz corner. Against Athletic Bilbao, in the first of two matches, he went one better.

Gakpo scored two goals in a 3–2 win against Bilbao. His first was a classic finish — curling into the far corner after a diagonal move. His second came from instinct, pouncing on a rebound after Salah’s effort was parried. But beyond the goals, Gakpo’s stats tell the full story: three chances created, seven duels won, and six successful recoveries in that single match.

Slot seems to trust him not just as a forward — but as a fulcrum.

Ngumoha Steps Out of the Academy Shadows

Then came August 4. The second leg against Athletic Bilbao. And the moment Liverpool fans — and European scouts — will remember: Rio Ngumoha’s explosion onto the senior scene.

Just 16 years old, Ngumoha didn’t look like a prospect. He looked like a problem. Lining up on the left wing, he took on Bilbao’s fullback with confidence and flair — then capped it off with a solo goal that belonged in a highlight reel. A darting run inside, a feint, a drop of the shoulder, and a cool finish past the keeper.

He completed every pass he attempted in the half-hour he played. He drew a foul on the edge of the box. He nearly added a second with a cheeky outside-the-foot curler. In 33 minutes, he didn’t just earn respect — he earned expectation.

With each outing, Ngumoha has looked more settled, more dangerous, and more tactically aware. It’s no longer a question of if he’ll be in Slot’s first-team squad this season — it’s how soon.

Harvey Elliott Provides Reassurance in Liverpool’s Pre-Season

Under Arne Slot’s tactical approach, flexibility and intelligence are key — and Harvey Elliott has emerged as one of Liverpool’s most promising players this pre-season.

In a unique double-header against Athletic Club at Anfield, Elliott stood out. He scored a well-timed, low-driven goal in the first match’s 4–1 win, showcasing his growing maturity and technical skill. But his impact wasn’t limited to scoring. Throughout the tour, Elliott acted as the crucial link between midfield and attack, often drifting wide or centrally to create overloads and unlock defenses with sharp, creative passes.

Slot’s system demands more than attacking flair — it requires pressing, defensive awareness, and tactical discipline. Elliott embraced these responsibilities, pressing aggressively off the ball and maintaining positional shape, helping Liverpool’s fluid style both offensively and defensively.

Once considered a promising squad player, Elliott is now clearly part of Slot’s core plans. His performances this summer suggest he will be a vital creative force for Liverpool in the coming season, providing reassurance amid a period of tactical transition and squad evolution.

The Tactical Picture: Controlled Chaos

Throughout the preseason, Slot's system has become clearer. The Dutchman prefers a narrow 4-2-3-1 shape in possession, with fullbacks staying deeper and the width coming from wingers and advanced midfield rotations.

Against Milan and Bilbao, Liverpool recorded over 60% possession and completed over 550 passes in each game — a clear sign of Slot’s controlled chaos. The pressing hasn’t gone away, but it now functions in more coordinated waves, designed to regain possession higher up while keeping shape behind the ball.

And the blend of youth and experience in these matches wasn’t just necessity — it was by design. Slot wants depth. Competition. Internal development. The emergence of Ngumoha, Elliott, and even Trey Nyoni in cameos reflects that philosophy taking hold.

Wembley Awaits — And So Does the Real Test

On August 10, Liverpool face Crystal Palace in the FA Community Shield at Wembley. That match will mark the start of the season proper — and likely offer the strongest hint yet of who Slot sees as his ideal XI.

What’s already certain, though, is that this preseason mattered. It produced more than just minutes — it produced momentum.

From Wirtz’s touchline triangles to Ngumoha’s teenage magic, this Liverpool side feels like it’s growing into something new. Less heavy metal, more precision. But still hungry. Still bold.

Still Liverpool.