Diogo Jota fired a volley into the top right corner of the goal after a Trent Alexander-Arnold cross and Jota soon added an assist to his name, playing the ball into Luis Diaz , who shot into the same part of the Anfield Road End goal. Sevilla had a couple of moments — mainly when the Reds gave possession away in dangerous areas — but Liverpool was well in control.
By half-time, a lovely sweeping move saw Dominik Szoboszlai tee up Diaz to make it 3-0. The Hungarian had looked to play a few dangerous balls earlier in the game that didn't come off; when he was through on goal, he unselfishly squared to the Colombian, who looked sharp and as if he had never been away.
In a second half that looked to be containing little of note, Peque Fernandez curled a shot into the far corner for the Spanish outfit and then Trey Nyoni hit a sweet shot on the half volley that flew into the corner at the other end. The young Liverpool midfielder is a huge talent to keep an eye on.
Here are the five things Liverpool.com spotted as the game unfolded. In Arne Slot's first match in his new home, it was a victory for the Dutchman against an experienced side, albeit one that finished in the bottom half of La Liga last season.
Arne Slot relaxed on the touchline
After being given a warm reception as a way of introduction to life in his new surroundings, the new Liverpool head coach patrolled his technical area mainly with his hands in his pockets or his arms folded, aside from the odd point or clap. There were brief renditions of his song — the same tune belted out a couple of months ago by Jurgen Klopp — but he remained focused on the task in hand.
It won't be this sunny for most of the year — perhaps not even by the time Brentford comes to Anfield for the first home match of the season in the Premier League . There were some good signs here, though, with his calm demeanor on the touchline yet to be tested by any suspect officiating.
Ryan Gravenberch impresses as the number six
Selected in front of Curtis Jones for this game, Ryan Gravenberch was the deepest of the midfield three, with Alexis Mac Allister to his left and Szoboszlai to his right. Martin Zubimendi might yet change things, of course, but was this a hint about what might happen at Ipswich Town next weekend?
Gravenberch played well, though that is to be expected when his main job is to play nice passes and help Liverpool move through the thirds. The real test would come against a side more capable of threatening in an attacking sense, or against a team that has more of an aerial threat — Brentford, for example.
Mistake at the back
Stanis Idunbo should have scored for Sevilla inside the first 15 minutes when he latched onto a heavy touch from Jarell Quansah . While he could only scoop the ball well over Alisson Becker and well over the bar, it was a warning. As Liverpool's players get used to playing shorter passes in potentially dangerous areas, there is risk as well as reward.
That will happen again in the future, but the positives outweigh the negatives, for sure. Liverpool built several good moves in addition to the ones that led to the back of the net being found — all because of the way that Slot wants his side to be structured.
Trey Nyoni makes his mark
Having come on a few times and played superbly for Liverpool in pre-season relative to his very young age, Nyoni didn't look out of place at Anfield either. Indeed, the goal that he scored will live long in the momory and could well be replayed a few times if he goes on to have the career that he is seemingly capable of having.
Looking superb in possession again, there were a few nice passes from the 17-year-old. The clear standout moment, however, was smashing the ball into the far corner when it fell nicely for him to hit. It was great technique and will only further increase the excitement surrounding the teenage talent.
Luis Diaz looking sharp
There was plenty of talk heading into this summer about whether Diaz would still be at Anfield when the new campaign kicked off. It was fair to say that Barcelona was keen on him but the Colombian doesn't look to be going anywhere. Anthony Gordon would be a good player to bring in, but Diaz looked sharp here.
The 27-year-old hasn't had much in the way of a break this summer having been at the Copa America with his country, but he looked sharp and benefitting from the short turnaround. Diaz wasn't able to beat his man many times out wide, but his quick footwork was able to carve the chance for his first goal and the second came from several players being decisive in the final third.
There were certainly good signs from Diaz. Chosen in the stronger team of the day ahead of Cody Gakpo , it will be interesting to see who gets the nod next weekend. The educated guess from here would be Diaz.
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