Andoni Iraola was left with plenty to ponder as he jetted back across the Atlantic after his Liverpool side blew a two-goal lead to be well beaten by Leeds in Chicago.
In the Reds’ final game of this pre-season tour, early goals from young defender Luke Chambers and Florian Wirtz had Liverpool on their way to a perfect trip but, after both teams made half-time changes, Leeds vastly improved to triumph.
At the home of NFL side Chicago Bears, two American football-style throw-ins undid Liverpool as Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored a brace. Joe Rodon and Sean Longstaff also bagged for Daniel Farke’s side as Leeds bombarded the penalty area with set-pieces.
Liverpool threw away a 2-0 lead against Leeds in their final match of their pre-season tour
Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored a brace for Leeds as the Reds collapsed after half-time
Florian Wirtz had scored a fine goal but the Reds had no attacking threat when he and others went off
Two teenagers push for starts
Rio Ngumoha is so talented that, in the eyes of many, he is not counted as one of the kids looking to break through any more.
It is easy to forget he is still just 17. This time last year, he was yet to make his Premier League debut.
Now, it would be a surprise if Ngumoha, capped by England in a pre-World Cup friendly, did not start the first game of the upcoming season.
Liverpool are trying to sign Paris Saint-Germain’s Bradley Barcola but that should not halt Ngumoha’s meteoric rise.
The winger is ready for the next step, which is playing more often after five league starts last term. He terrorised wing back James Justin here.
The breakout star of this tour, though, has been another teenager: Trey Nyoni. The 19-year-old made six substitute appearances in the league last term but is ready for more.
Midfielder Nyoni has bossed players ten years his senior on this tour, dictating play from deep. He is small in stature but can be a giant for Iraola in the coming years.
With Alexis Mac Allister still absent after making the World Cup final with Argentina, Ryan Gravenberch only just back and Curtis Jones the subject of interest in a move away, is Nyoni’s time now?
Still just 17, it would be a surprise if Rio Ngumoha did not start Liverpool's season opener
It could be Trey Nyoni's time, meanwhile, with the 19-year-old shining while on tour
Should Farke stick or twist with the winning formula?
Farke was sleep-walking towards the sack as Christmas approached last year, with Leeds in the relegation zone with a run of six defeats in the seven games.
But the boss changed formation to a back five and, from December 1 onwards, Leeds only lost six of 25 matches and got to an FA Cup semi-final.
Farke is not a negative coach by nature and the stubborn system may be unnatural but the signs are that he is set to stick by it.
The verdict here in Illinois? In the first half, it was worrying: they looked vulnerable at the back and created very little on the counter-attack.
After the break and a quadruple change – but the same system – they looked in fine fettle and played Liverpool off the park. The exercise will prompt both managers to know their best XIs.
Leeds could make a push – with a few more signings
Leeds were ten times better after the break.
With James Trafford expected to become their record signing for around £45million, this could be a window that gives Leeds a platform for a top-half push, especially after tempting Wilson to join on a free transfer from Fulham.
However, they are still light in some positions. Gabriel Gudmundsson limping off in the first half highlighted left back as a problem area, while the forward line could do with being strengthened after missing out on Julian Brandt and seeing Jack Harrison depart.
New £34million defender Tarik Muharemovic looks a solid buy from Sassuolo to replace Pascal Struijk.
Leeds could push for a top-half finish if they pick up a few more summer signings
Wirtz in full Flo already
Wirtz and Alexander Isak both struggled to live up to hopes or expectations last season due to fitness and form issues.
Arne Slot had many issues but the Dutchman might have had better success if he had been able to call upon a fully fit-and-firing version of the duo, who cost £241million combined.
Both are back with a point to prove now, though – and new boss Iraola knows he too will be unable to achieve his ambitions without these two on song.
On their first pre-season outings after a post-World Cup break, both looked sharp. Wirtz took his goal nicely and also played some gasp-inducing passes, while Isak seemed to be full of confidence. The second-half fall-off shows their importance.
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