Liverpool F.C. is still reeling from the effects of their pre-season tour in the USA, which exposed glaring gaps in the squad. The team's second-half display against Leeds was concerning, with set-piece problems and a tendency to switch off rearing their ugly head again. However, the opening 45 minutes of the tour showed how effective head coach Andoni Iraola's front-foot, more intense style can be with the big names back.
What happened?
The pre-season tour was a mixed bag for Liverpool F.C., with wins over Sunderland and Wrexham, but a 4-2 defeat against Leeds in Chicago. The team was without eight first-team players due to World-Cup holidays and six due to injury, which made it difficult for head coach Andoni Iraola to implement his vision.
Why it matters for Liverpool F.C.?
The pre-season tour exposed glaring gaps in the squad, particularly in central defence and at right-back. The team is still lacking Premier League experience in these positions, and it will be a challenge for head coach Andoni Iraola to address these issues before the start of the new season.
What comes next?
Liverpool F.C. will be back in training on Wednesday, with head coach Andoni Iraola looking to implement his vision and address the gaps in the squad. The team has only two more friendlies before the start of the new season, and they will be looking to make a strong start in the Premier League.
League standing (final 2025 table -- new season not yet under way): 5th in Premier League, 60 pts, 17W-9D-12L from 38 games, recent form DLDLW. Goals this season: 63 scored, 53 conceded (+10 goal difference). Title race: 25 points behind leaders Arsenal.
The team's performances and adaptation to Iraola's methods would have been much more advanced with 14 extra first-team players available. Even so, glaring gaps remain in the team when every option is taken into account. Mohamed Salah's departure was announced in March, and five months on, he is yet to be replaced. The seriousness of Conor Bradley's knee injury means Liverpool remain light at right-back. There are the highest hopes for Jérémy Jacquet and Giovanni Leoni, while 18-year-olds Ifeanyi Ndukwe and Mor Talla Ndiaye did well in the US. However, Liverpool are lacking Premier League experience in central defence, and Ndukwe will be unable to play this season due to post-Brexit work permit difficulties.
Head coach Andoni Iraola was genuinely impressed by the levels many young players showed in training and the friendlies. Trey Nyoni, in particular, pushed his first-team claims further than any other prospect. The team's performances and adaptation to Iraola's methods would have been much more advanced with 14 extra first-team players available. Even so, glaring gaps remain in the team when every option is taken into account.
The team will be back in training on Wednesday, with head coach Andoni Iraola looking to implement his vision and address the gaps in the squad. The team has only two more friendlies before the start of the new season, and they will be looking to make a strong start in the Premier League.
