InterviewArne Slot explains how USA tour will benefit Liverpool's pre-season preparations

The Reds head across the Atlantic next week for a spell that will include friendly matches against Real Betis, Arsenal and Manchester United.

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Slot is now two weeks into his first pre-season with the club and the head coach believes the combination of competing against high-class opposition and completing more training sessions will only benefit his squad’s preparations for the new campaign.

“I assume this, but the resistance of the teams we play is strong,” the Dutchman told Liverpoolfc.com, when asked if there will be an increase in intensity while stateside.

“We are trying to implement the ideas and keep doing what we have done so well. Keeping the boys fit, that’s the first aim.

“Those things are the first aim and then with all the players coming back I think the quality will definitely go up a lot as well and these two things – training sessions and boys coming back in – will help us to play even better than we did [on Friday].”

Slot, who was speaking after Liverpool lost 1-0 in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Preston North End at the AXA Training Centre, also detailed the progress made by his players during the first fortnight of pre-season.

“It’s only two weeks in so if it was that easy to bring and to implement all your ideas in two weeks, that would have been an ideal situation but it doesn’t work like this!” he said.

“Like I said, the ones who came in from the start, they are still fit now, they have had two weeks of training sessions and stayed fit during the game so are getting fitter and fitter.

“But yeah, there are definitely more than a few areas where we have to improve but that will come with more sessions and it will definitely come when all the boys are in.”

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