On the flight back from Chicago after the 2-4 defeat to Leeds, the match closing the tour in the US, coach Andoni Iraola will certainly have a lot to think about.
The first half was Liverpool's most impressive performance since the Spanish strategist took over. The Kop controlled the game, pressed effectively and created many chances. However, everything collapsed after halftime when Liverpool conceded 4 goals.
Iraola made a series of personnel changes, but that could not cover up the problems revealed. Liverpool's squad depth and fitness foundation clearly did not meet the requirements. The defense with many young players such as Calvin Ramsay, Ifeanyi Ndukwe or Mor Talla Ndiaye continuously made mistakes and let Leeds exploit them thoroughly.
Another worrying point is the ability to defend against dead balls. 2 out of 4 goals conceded came from set pieces, something that midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai admitted the team needs to quickly overcome.
We conceded 2 goals from set pieces. The whole team must improve and handle such balls better" - the Hungarian international shared.
However, the defeat does not completely deny Liverpool's positive signs. With the return of Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz, The Kop played excitedly in the first half. The star duo, with a total transfer fee of up to 225 million pounds, helped the team create great pressure with high-intensity pressing and fast-paced combinations.
Besides Wirtz and Isak, Nyoni continues to be a noteworthy bright spot. The 19-year-old midfielder shows confidence when holding the ball, calm handling ability and always looking forward. Although he was considered for loan this summer, recent performances are likely to help him stay at Anfield and receive more opportunities in the new season.
Meanwhile, Rio Ngumoha also impressed with his fast dribbling on the left flank. The performances of the young players are rare positive signals, showing that Liverpool still possesses potential human resources. However, to compete in many arenas, they still need more experienced players to create a balance between youth and bravery.
The coming days will be very important for Iraola. Virgil van Dijk, Cody Gakpo, Alisson Becker and new signing Victor Munoz will return to join the AXA training center. Alexis Mac Allister is the only first-team player to return late due to extra rest after reaching the 2026 World Cup final with Argentina.
Notably, the "Red Brigade" has not yet welcomed any new players throughout the pre-season tour in the US. Part of the reason is that Iraola wants to directly assess the current force before making a decision in the transfer market.
And after what happened against Leeds, the Spanish strategist must have had a clearer view of the positions to be added. The first half showed that Liverpool is capable of playing energy and quality football. But the second half also exposed the gap between the main squad and the reserve force, while pointing out issues of fitness, depth and dead-ball defense.
The defeat in Chicago is therefore not just a simple friendly match, but also a timely warning for Iraola to adjust before the new season officially kicks off. Transfer decisions in the next few weeks will be of great significance to Liverpool's ambitions.
