On the flight home from Chicago, manager Andoni Iraola reflects on the 4-2 defeat to Leeds, which ended Liverpool’s US tour. The first‑half display was arguably the best since he took charge, but the second was categorically the worst, with four goals conceded in 25 minutes.

Iraola made a raft of changes at the break, but that is no excuse for the collapse. Lack of squad depth and physicality was alarmingly exposed, and set‑piece deficiencies were evident—two goals from corners. Midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai said, “We have to fix that.” The intensity demanded on the training pitch was evident in the first half but seemed non‑existent after the break, with senior figures like Curtis Jones and Federico Chiesa not covering themselves.

He will meet Virgil van Dijk, Cody Gakpo, Alisson Becker and new signing Victor Munoz at the AXA Training Centre, while Alexis Mac Allister remains an out‑of‑team player. These meetings will shape squad decisions before the season starts. Iraola is concerned about the ease with which Leeds scored, even against an inexperienced backline that finished with Calvin Ramsay, Ifeanyi Ndukwe and Mor Talla Ndiaye.

Highlights include Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz returning to form, Luke Chambers scoring early, and 19‑year‑old Trey Nyoni continuing his solid pre‑season. The pair cost a combined £225m last summer, underscoring the star quality of the squad.