Liverpool collapse as Leeds come from 2-0 down to win

Liverpool threw away a two-goal lead in spectacular fashion as Leeds won the final match of both teams’ United States tour 4-2.

It was all one-way traffic in the first half for Andoni Iraola’s side as Luke Chambers and the returning Florian Wirtz put Liverpool into a two-goal lead. Wirtz’s goal came from a superb Liverpool move involving the impressive Trey Nyoni and Jeremie Frimpong.

But Leeds brought on their better attacking players at half-time in Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Harry Wilson – and the tide turned – with three goals in 13 second-half minutes.

Brenden Aaronson benefitted from Milos Kerkez’s mistake to pull one back, before Calvert-Lewin levelled from Ethan Ampadu’s dangerous long throw.

Sean Longstaff completed the comeback with a scuffed finish just two minutes later- before Calvert-Lewin got his second via a carbon copy goal of his first.

Both sides now return to England to begin the final part of their pre-season preparations, with the start of the season less than three weeks away.

The key moments from Chicago…

7: GOAL! Liverpool take an early lead as Dominik Szoboszlai’s corner is flicked on by Milos Kerkez, allowing Chambers to smash home.

14: WHAT A SAVE! Lucas Nmecha nearly equalises for Leeds but his header from inside the box is kept out brilliantly by Giorgi Mamardashvilli.

26: JUST WIDE! Nmecha has another good chance but drags wide from the edge of the box after good work from Dan James.

40: GOAL! Liverpool show their clinical edge as Wirtz equalises after a great team move from Frimpong’s cross – after a glorious ball across the pitch from Nyoni.

54: WIDE! Leeds bring on Calvert-Lewin and he gets in behind the Liverpool backline, but cannot convert from inside the box.

60: GOAL! Kerkez gifts Leeds possession cheaply and Ampadu feeds Aaronson to tuck home a goal back for Leeds.

71: GOAL! Calvert-Lewin heads home unmarked at the back post as Joe Rodon headed on Ampadu’s long throw.

73: GOAL! Longstaff completes the stunning turnaround as he scuffs home a finish from inside the box, beating Curtis Jones to the ball.

84: GOAL! Deja vu! Calvert-Lewin nods in at the back post from another Ampadu long throw.

Szoboszlai: We have to take care of set pieces

Liverpool midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai to LFCTV:

“Now we know we conceded two goals from set pieces, we have to take care of them more.

“Last season was one where everything started to be really important on corners, long throws. We have to take care of it, or next season will be the same as last season.

“Set pieces, everyone has to do their job, or we won’t concede. We’re also human beings, we are allowed to make mistakes. We have to react, that’s important. We have two games more before the season starts.”

Analysis: Iraola has lots to do to get Liverpool ready

Sky Sports’ Sam Blitz:

Look, it’s pre-season. Liverpool and Leeds won’t read too much into this. But there are concerns for Andoni Iraola at both ends of the pitch.

Yes, Liverpool had a young team out by the time their collapse came – especially given Leeds put their best attackers on the pitch.

But it was very much the story of last season. Two of Leeds’ goals came from Ethan Ampadu’s long throws, after they conceded 20 goals from set pieces in the Premier League last season, more than any other side.

The goal that allowed Leeds back into the contest came from a Milos Kerkez mistake. Again, mistakes and uncertainty at full-back was another narrative that emerged last season.

There were positives for Liverpool. Florian Wirtz looked sharp in his first 45 minutes back and Trey Nyoni looks like a real gem in the making. He can push Ryan Gravenberch for minutes this season.

But once Wirtz and Alexander Isak came off at half-time, Liverpool never looked like scoring. With a big injury list at both ends of the pitch, Iraola has a lot of work to do to get ready for the season opener in three weeks’ time.

Remaining pre-season fixtures

Liverpool

August 9: Liverpool vs Monaco – Anfield, 2.30pm

August 16: Liverpool vs Como – Anfield, 6pm

Leeds

August 8: Leeds vs RB Leipzig – Elland Road, 2pm

August 12: Leeds vs Man Utd – Dublin, 7.30pm

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