Liverpool’s pre-season preparations have exposed defensive weaknesses that manager Andoni Iraola says must be addressed urgently, with fewer than three weeks remaining before their Premier League opener against Newcastle United.
Although friendly results are not regarded as a definitive measure of a team’s prospects, Liverpool’s 4-2 defeat by Leeds United in Chicago highlighted concerns that have grown during their tour of the United States. The Reds have shown promising attacking moments, but have also conceded six goals in three matches, including four in just 25 minutes of the second half against Leeds.
Iraola admitted the defeat had provided valuable lessons for his side.
“Clearly, it is not the result we wanted, but it was probably the most useful friendly for us,” said the Spanish manager. “It was useful in a positive way in the first half and in a negative way in the second half. We learned a lot and we will draw important conclusions to address some problems.”
Liverpool began the match with a back four of Jeremie Frimpong, Luke Chambers, Efeanyi Ndowikwe and Milos Kerkez. They finished with Calvin Ramsay, Mor Talla Ndiaye, Ndowikwe and Kostas Tsimikas in defence.
A similarly young defensive unit had kept a clean sheet against Wrexham a few days earlier, but the greater test posed by a Premier League side and the presence of a striker of Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s quality exposed the fragility of Liverpool’s defensive structure.
Kerkez is currently the only defender involved in the tour who appears likely to start the season as a first-choice player. Captain Virgil van Dijk has returned to training, but Liverpool remain short of defensive cover.
The situation has been made more difficult by the absences of Joe Gomez and Giovanni Leoni. New signing Jeremy Jacquet did not play a minute during the American tour as he follows an individual programme designed to bring him back gradually.
Iraola has repeatedly acknowledged that Liverpool have a “numerical shortage” in defence, a problem worsened by the departures of Andy Robertson and Ibrahima Konate. Leoni and Jacquet are both regarded as having significant potential, but neither has established himself, while Gomez’s recurring injury record makes relying on him alone a considerable risk.
Sporting director Richard Hughes attended Liverpool’s friendlies in Nashville and New York. Although he was not present for the Leeds game, he is understood to be fully aware of the scale of the defensive problem.
At the very least, Liverpool need another central defender and may also require a right-back, particularly because Conor Bradley’s return remains some way off. Last season, Arne Slot was forced to use Curtis Jones and Dominik Szoboszlai at right-back, a situation the club does not want to repeat. Liverpool would prefer to recruit a player with sufficient experience to operate in the position.
Asked where he expected to play next season, Szoboszlai said: “You have to ask the manager, not me. I played in more than one position last season. I hope to play in midfield, but if the manager needs me at right-back, I will do the job gladly.”
Former Liverpool captain Phil Thompson told BBC Sport that the squad also needed players capable of showing greater leadership.
“When Jurgen Klopp won the league, the team had leaders such as Jordan Henderson and James Milner, as well as Virgil van Dijk, Alisson and Mohamed Salah, and even Trent Alexander-Arnold,” he said.
“That aspect has declined today, so the team needs new players who are prepared to take responsibility. The dressing room needs strong characters who impose discipline, particularly during difficult periods.”
He added: “At the moment there are only Virgil and Alisson, so a player like Dominik Szoboszlai must step forward and take on greater responsibility.”
Midfield offers greater stability
Liverpool’s midfield appears to be in a more settled position. Szoboszlai, Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister give the team a strong group of options, while both Szoboszlai and Gravenberch signed new contracts earlier this year.
Iraola will hope Mac Allister can rediscover his best form after a disappointing campaign by his usual standards. Meanwhile, Curtis Jones is edging closer to a move to Inter, with Liverpool prepared to sell him for about £35m.
That decision is also linked to the development of teenage midfielder Trey Nyoni, who has impressed during pre-season. Wataru Endo and Stefan Bajcetic have returned to training, while Harvey Elliott’s future remains unresolved.
Liverpool have previously made enquiries about Adam Wharton’s situation at Crystal Palace, although competition for the midfielder’s signature appears to be intense.
Attacking options and transfer targets
Liverpool could still add to their forward line before the transfer window closes. Following the failure to sign Yan Diomande, Paris St-Germain winger Bradley Barcola has become the club’s leading target.
Liverpool have already completed the signing of Victor Munoz from Osasuna for £34m. Barcola is not viewed as a direct replacement for Mohamed Salah, but his arrival would represent a major deal. Paris St-Germain value the player at about £145m.
Liverpool are preparing an offer close to £100m and Barcola is understood to welcome a move to Anfield. However, there have been no formal negotiations between the clubs so far.
Seventeen-year-old Rio Ngumoha is expected to receive more first-team minutes next season. He looked more comfortable on the left wing against Leeds, but can operate on either flank, a flexibility that fits Iraola’s approach.
Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz have also made encouraging starts to pre-season. Federico Chiesa’s future has yet to be decided, with the player keen to stay and fight for his place despite speculation linking him with a return to Serie A.
Kieran Morrison, 19, impressed during the American tour and scored Liverpool’s first goal of the Iraola era. However, he is likely to leave on loan to gain further experience, along with a number of other young players.
Tottenham Hotspur have previously shown interest in Cody Gakpo, but Liverpool have no intention of selling the Netherlands forward. He has four years remaining on his contract and is one of the squad’s most versatile attacking players.
The long-term absence of Hugo Ekitike with an Achilles tendon rupture also makes keeping Gakpo a logical decision.
Fenway Sports Group president Mike Gordon, who is effectively responsible for the club’s ownership operation, attended the Leeds match. He saw first-hand how the optimism created by Liverpool’s first-half display turned into serious concern after their defensive collapse following the interval.
With major ambitions and further transfer activity still expected, the message at Anfield is clear: Liverpool need additional reinforcement if they are to challenge strongly for every major trophy next season.
