Liverpool meet Leeds at Soldier Field for their final friendly in the US on Sunday, but face playing on another poor pitch merely 20 hours after an MLS match.
The Reds have set up camp in Chicago for the duration of their stay in the United States and now close out their tour with an all-Premier League meeting at Soldier Field.
The stadium, which can hold more than 61,000 supporters, is home to the NFL’s Chicago Bears and the Chicago Fire in MLS.
The latter played a home fixture against Charlotte FC on Saturday evening, less than 20 hours before Liverpool and Leeds meet in a 3pm (9pm BST) kickoff at the same stadium.
Robert Lewandowski scored a brace on his home debut to guide Chicago to a 2-1 victory, but the pitch was far from perfect, with huge gaps pictured.
CHICAGO, USA - Saturday, August 1, 2026: Huges gaps in the turn seen during a Major League Soccer match between Chicago Fire FC and Charlotte FC at Soldier Field. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
CHICAGO, USA - Saturday, August 1, 2026: Huges gaps in the turn seen during a Major League Soccer match between Chicago Fire FC and Charlotte FC at Soldier Field. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
The stadium has had well-documented historical issues with its playing surface due to its multi-use for sport and concerts, plus the region’s extreme weather.
The Chicago Park District owns the ground, which leaves turf management largely in their control. Although they changed the grass a number of years ago, major summer concerts have left it in a questionable state.
CHICAGO, USA - Saturday, August 1, 2026: Huge openings in the pitch seen during a Major League Soccer match between Chicago Fire FC and Charlotte FC at Soldier Field. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
CHICAGO, USA - Saturday, August 1, 2026: Huge openings in the pitch seen during a Major League Soccer match between Chicago Fire FC and Charlotte FC at Soldier Field. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Liverpool played on a converted baseball ground in New York last time out and, therefore, will be familiar with less-than-ideal conditions, but it does increase the risk of injuries.
Andoni Iraola already has too many missing players and will not be seeking to add more against Leeds just three weeks out from the Premier League opener due to the playing surface.
Liverpool’s head coach is due to give minutes to Ryan Gravenberch, Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak on Sunday after a week of training and the Reds can ill afford for any to succumb to a fitness issue.
Football – Pre-Season – Liverpool USA Tour Day 12
CHICAGO, USA - Friday, July 31, 2026: Liverpool's head coach Andoni Iraola and Josh Abe (R) during an open training session at the Endeavor Health Performance Center ahead of their final pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Leeds United at Soldier Field in Chicago. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Isak Wirtz Gravenberch
Isak Wirtz Gravenberch
Football – FIFA World Cup 2026 – Final – Spain v Argentina
NEW JERSEY, USA - Sunday, July 19, 2026: Spain's Víctor Muñoz lifts the "Fifa World Cup Trophy" after the FIFA World Cup Final 2026 between Spain and Argentina at the Met Life Stadium. Spain won the World Cup 1-0 in extra time. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)