Liverpool's pre-season trip to the United States under new head coach Andoni Iraola ended with a mixed record - victories over Sunderland in Nashville and Wrexham in New York, followed by a 4-2 defeat to Leeds in Chicago. The tour offered an early glimpse of Iraola's tactical approach while also highlighting several issues the club must address before the Premier League campaign begins.
The defeat to Leeds proved instructive. Liverpool's first half was arguably their sharpest of the tour, demonstrating the intensity and front-foot football Iraola wants to implement. However, the second half brought a reversion to old habits, including vulnerability from set pieces and lapses in concentration - issues that plagued the team last season. Iraola made changes during the match, and the drop-off afterward suggested his methods are still being absorbed by the squad.
Part of the challenge stems from availability. Iraola has yet to work with several key first-team players, including Virgil van Dijk, Cody Gakpo, Alisson, Alexis Mac Allister and new arrival Víctor Muñoz, none of whom featured on the US trip. They are due to report for training this week, though Mac Allister will remain absent due to his commitments at the World Cup. With the Premier League opener against Newcastle looming and only a double-header against Como at Anfield left before then, time is tight.
"I would like to say on the first day we are going to be perfect, everyone will be in place," Iraola said. "But probably it is not going to be like this."
Throughout the tour, Iraola was without as many as eight first-team players due to post-World Cup breaks and six more through injury, including Joe Gomez, who suffered a fresh setback in the US. The squad's depth issues were laid bare as a result. Mohamed Salah's exit, confirmed back in March, still has no replacement lined up. Conor Bradley's knee injury has left the club light at right-back, while central defense remains a concern given the lack of Premier League experience among the options. Young defenders Jérémy Jacquet and Giovanni Leoni have shown promise, and 18-year-olds Ifeanyi Ndukwe and Mor Talla Ndiaye impressed during the tour, but Ndukwe cannot play this season due to post-Brexit work permit restrictions. Gomez's history of injuries means his availability cannot be relied upon.
On a more positive note, several academy prospects used their chances well. Trey Nyoni, in particular, stood out with composed and confident performances that strengthened his case for regular first-team involvement. The 19-year-old midfielder settled quickly into Iraola's system, showing intelligent movement and sharp passing - his contribution to Florian Wirtz's goal against Leeds was a highlight. Last season, Nyoni managed just six Premier League appearances from the bench, far fewer than fellow academy graduate Rio Ngumoha's 19 outings. His displays in the US suggest that gap could close significantly this season.
Not every senior player enhanced his standing. Curtis Jones, entering the final year of his contract amid reported interest from Inter, struggled to adjust to Iraola's demands in central midfield, particularly during the second half against Leeds. His frustration at being overlooked for the captaincy - after Dominik Szoboszlai and later Kostas Tsimikas were given the armband instead - drew attention, though the matter was later downplayed by all involved.
Szoboszlai, meanwhile, emerged as the standout figure of the tour. With several senior stars absent, the Hungarian captain drew strong fan support and led by example in training, reinforcing his status after a new five-year contract and his recognition as Liverpool's top performer last season. He appears a natural candidate for a vice-captaincy role following the departures of Salah and Andy Robertson.
Based on reporting from The Guardian.