Reaction'I've been working on those runs' - Fabio Carvalho on Arsenal goal

The forward found space in the box during the first half of Wednesday night’s pre-season clash with the Gunners in Philadelphia to meet Harvey Elliott’s dinked pass and fire it home on the volley.

It proved to be the decisive effort in a 2-1 win for the Reds, with Mohamed Salah having previously opened the scoring and Kai Havertz later netting a consolation.

Post-match, Liverpoolfc.com caught up with Carvalho pitchside to reflect on the victory, his goal, the eagerness to make an impression this summer, and more.

Read the Q&A below…

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On taking pleasure from two wins out of two in the USA so far…

A hundred per cent. It’s credit to the work we have done. It has been tough, but obviously we’re putting into practice into the games what we’ve learned from the manager and what we already knew we could do. It’s just good to get some minutes. And for young players like myself, and some of the even younger lads, it’s amazing and what you want to be part of.

On a confident display on the night…

Obviously we know their qualities but we’ve just got to play to our strengths. We can try to adapt to [how] they play but ultimately it’s about us and about the ideas the manager tries to implement within us. And today it showed. There were periods where we were in adversity but we came through it, stuck together and stuck to the game plan.

On what he has noticed about the ideas and changes head coach Arne Slot is deploying…

I’d probably say playing more through the midfield. Players like Curtis, Harvey and Szobo as well – we’ve got the players to do so. Playing through them and getting me, Mo and the players higher up like Jots on the ball as well. Being able to play through the thirds is what we want to do and what the manager wants to be our identity.

On his goal against the Gunners…

I just remember getting into the box. Playing through the thirds is what he wants us to do and getting a lot of players in the box. Obviously a great pass by Harvey, that’s what he does best. Obviously I’ve known Harvey a long time so we already have that connection and I know if I make a run into the box, he’s going to find me. As long as you get contact and get it on target. Not just the gaffer but the coaching staff have been on to me about running in behind, not just getting it into feet. That’s something I’ve been working on.

On his role in the team and Slot’s guidance…

He wants me to obviously do the defensive stuff first. He knows what qualities I have. It’s good to have someone that’s always onto me, making sure I’m on it, and that’s what I’ve got from the gaffer.

On feeling like he has an opportunity heading into the new season…

I can only hope so! Like I said, not just for me but for everyone coming in, there’s a new gaffer, everyone has got a chance to impress and we’ll just go from there. As long as we keep working hard, that’s the main thing and that’s what I’m trying to make the most out of.

On his experience of Philadelphia this week…

I’ve been doing a lot, to be fair – different cultures, different experiences. You do the training and you have a bit of downtime, which is important to just rest and recover. We’ve got that today and we’ll go again tomorrow.