Andoni Iraola assessed that the defeat to Leeds in Chicago was the most useful friendly during the pre-season tour in the United States. Although Liverpool lost 4-2, the coaching staff drew positive conclusions from the match. Iraola stated that the first half passed with good play, while the second half revealed vulnerabilities that need to be addressed.
The key issue in the second half was a defensive collapse. Liverpool conceded four goals in a span of just 25 minutes, which significantly impacted the final outcome. Despite the negative result, the manager stated that such situations offer valuable lessons for preparation ahead of the upcoming season.
As part of the tour, Liverpool played three matches, securing two wins and one defeat. In total, they conceded six goals across the series. Prior to the match against Leeds, the side had played against Wrexham, where they managed to keep a clean sheet. This comparison highlighted the differences in defensive stability between the two matches.
Regarding the lineup, Iraola tested various combinations. In defence, players including Jeremie Frimpong, Luke Chambers, Ifan Ndi, and Miloš Kerkez appeared. The focus was on evaluating players rather than the result.
A key detail was the return of Virgil van Dijk to the squad. Although other players were in the squad, including forwards, the main objective was to test the defensive structure. Ira gain insight into specific situations that will require attention before the start of the season through his experience with Leeds.
