Liverpool concluded their pre-season tour of the United States on a sour note, letting a two-goal lead slip as Leeds United struck four times in the second half to secure a 4-2 victory at Soldier Field.
The Reds appeared to be in firm control during the opening period, racing into a 2-0 halftime lead. Left-back Luke Chambers opened the scoring in the seventh minute, smashing home from close range after Milos Kerkez flicked on a Dominik Szoboszlai corner.
Florian Wirtz doubled the advantage five minutes before the break, sliding in to finish off a well-worked team move involving Trey Nyoni and Jeremie Frimpong.
However, Leeds were much improved in the second half, as goals from Brenden Aaronson and Dominic Calvert-Lewin tied the score at 2-2.
Two minutes later, Sean Longstaff’s strike put Leeds in front. Dominic Calvert-Lewin put the match beyond reach five minutes from time, heading in off the crossbar from another long-throw routine to cap off a dominant second-half display by Leeds and hand Andoni Iraola his first pre-season defeat in charge of Liverpool.
Captaining the Reds once again, Szoboszlai initially tried to view their pre-season experience as a whole, instead of focusing on the defeat:
Dominik Szoboszlai:
— Anfield Sector (@AnfieldSector) August 2, 2026
“I think we should talk about the two weeks. We get to know each other… know the manager. We learned a lot.”
However, a worrying sign for Iraola’s side is their inability to defend set pieces, with the two goals conceded a carbon copy of one another.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin showcased all of his top-flight experience to torment Liverpool’s inexperienced centre-backs after bagging a brace, exposing the Reds' defensive frailties from set pieces.
Szoboszlai was sure not to hold back on what could prevent the Reds from pushing on this season:
"Now we know we conceded two goals from set pieces, we have to take care more of them. Last season was a season where everything started to be really important. Corners, long throw-ins. We really have to take care of it because the next season is going to be the same as last season."
Before signing off, the Hungarian laid claim to his preferred position: “Last season I played a lot of positions. I prefer to play midfield. If he wants to play right-back, I will play right back.”
As Iraola continued to trust Liverpool’s youth, Nyoni rewarded the head coach’s faith once more after a glowing performance.
The young midfielder floated a wonderful cross to Jeremie Frimpong, who hit a first-time pass to Florian Wirtz to set up Liverpool’s second goal.
With Alexis Mac Allister not due back at the AXA Training Centre until 9 August, Nyoni has an opportunity to put himself in contention for a starting spot against Newcastle on 23 August.
Trey Nyoni:
— Anfield Sector (@AnfieldSector) August 2, 2026
“I knew I had a lot to improve over the summer…”
The Reds will fly back from Chicago tonight, and Iraola will certainly have food for thought after an interesting pre-season tour.
Like his stand-in captain, the Spaniard also took a more general view of proceedings after Leeds’ scintillating performance in the second-half:
“Obviously it’s not the result you want but I think [it was] probably the most useful friendly we played – in a positive way in the first half and in a negative way in the second half. I think we’ve learned a lot from today and I think we can take good conclusions and solve some things.”
Liverpool’s head coach welcomed the return of Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz, both of whom looked sharp as they established a 2-0 lead in the first half:
“I think they did really good. They played their first 45 minutes. Obviously Florian and Alex, because they were playing in the first half, they had an easier game or a better game.”
The Reds’ final game of their pre-season tour was certainly a tale of two halves: a brilliant attacking display in the first half, but defensively vulnerable during the second half, ultimately leading to defeat.
It emphasised the need for defensive reinforcements, with skipper Virgil van Dijk now the only available senior centre back.
Liverpool have two more pre-season friendlies remaining, both taking place at Anfield, against AS Monaco and Como 1907 respectively.
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