Liverpool player ratings, winners and losers vs Leeds as Luke Chambers and Florian Wirtz scored but the Reds were pegged back in a game of two halves in Chicago
Luke Chambers opened the scoring for Liverpool against Leeds in Chicago.
Luke Chambers opened the scoring for Liverpool against Leeds in Chicago.(Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Leeds came from two goals down to win 4-2 against Andoni Iraola's Liverpool in Chicago, with Trey Nyoni excellent in the first half before a raft of changes after the interval changing the course of the clash.
Center-back Luke Chambers slammed in the first goal of the day early on after some dreadful Leeds defending from a corner, but while there was plenty of Liverpool possession for the rest of the first half, there were not loads of clear-cut chances. After a great team move, Florian Wirtz made it 2-0 just before half-time with a controlled volley.
Brendan Aaronson halved the deficit with a calm finish when Milos Kerkez had gifted possession away and Dominic Calvert-Lewin later leveled to make it all square. Sean Longstaff then netted the winner and Calvert-Lewin got a second.
Winners
Wirtz, Alexander Isak and Ryan Gravenberch getting their first minutes of the summer in a Liverpool jersey was a big plus, while some of the young talents who have been impressing stood out too.
Chambers, as mentioned, managed to score, while Ifeanyi Ndukwe, alongside him, was also very good at the back in the first 45, and Trey Nyoni showcased his abundant composure once more, all of which can only be positive.
Losers
No one played especially badly here, but there was a big drop-off in the attack in the second half when Isak, Wirtz and Rio Ngumoha went off. Kieran Morrison tired and Lewis Koumas wasn't as effective as the man he replaced.
It was a reminder, really, of the work that still needs to be done. The first choice starting XI can't play every minute and while Cody Gakpo and Victor Munoz are still to return, more is required.
Player ratings
Giorgi Mamardashvili (6). It's been hard to assess him so far this summer given he hasn't had too much to do, but the Georgian made a good stop in the first quarter of an hour. Some of his longer passes went astray but made a few more comfortable saves.
Jeremie Frimpong (7). Got into some good positions and crossed really well for the Wirtz goal. One strong run saw Ao Tanaka collect a yellow card because dragging him back was the only option.
Ifeanyi Ndukwe (6). There was one moment in possession when he was caught out, but aside from that, pretty good in the first half, where he looked very comfortable. He did give away a couple of unnecessary fouls, however, and was jaded in the second 45.
Luke Chambers (7). Filling in at center-back again having impressed against Wrexham, he opened the scoring early on. Once again, composed and more than willing to bark orders at those around him.
Milos Kerkez (6). Similar to Frimpong, he got into a few decent spots and delivered some good final balls. Defensively, his speed across the ground helped him get back in and cover a few times, but he made an error for the Aaronson goal.
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Dominik Szoboszlai (7). Operating in one of the deeper midfield berths, the Hungary captain was a stable presence in the center and knocked in a couple of decent set-pieces. If you're playing a two with Wirtz in front, you need energy, and he certainly has that.
Trey Nyoni (8). Perhaps the biggest winner of pre-season so far, the 19-year-old was very impressive once more. He was composed on the ball and looked to spring forward at every opportunity. He is going to end up saving Liverpool a lot of money if he carries on like this.
Kieran Morrison (6). Starting on the right-hand side, he didn't quite have the pace to burst past his man down the outside, but was strong and creative with the ball at his feet. Sometimes held onto it for slightly too long.
Florian Wirtz* (7). *Making his first appearance since exiting the World Cup with Germany, the attacking midfielder looked bright enough. He linked things up to a degree, and it was a solid start to life under a new head coach. Took his goal really nicely with a controlled finish on the volley.
Rio Ngumoha (7). Back on the left, having switched sides against Wrexham, the 17-year-old didn't see that much of the ball early on. When he did, he was quickly crowded out — something that he is going to have to get used to. Not much seemed to come off for Ngumoha to start with, but late in the first half, he started putting a couple of dangerous low crosses in.
Alexander Isak (6). Set to be a key man under Andoni Iraola, the Swede looked fit and sharp, which is the first big tick. Linked things up nicely at times. In terms of shots at goal, though, there wasn't anything of note. More to come.
Substitutes
Federico Chiesa (5). Playing up top in place of Isak, the Italian barely had a kick. When he did see the ball, he tended to give it away.
Curtis Jones (6). Operating a bit higher than he has done in pre-season so far this summer, the Liverpool number 17 did OK, but nothing more. Could perhaps have done better for the Longstaff goal and then the second Calvert-Lewin one too.
Ryan Gravenberch (6). Like Isak and Wirtz, he only got 45 minutes on his first appearance of the summer. Typically silky in the midfield, without doing anything spectacular. The Leeds comeback wasn't down to him.
Lewis Koumas (5). Gave the ball away easily a couple of times and wasn't that effective going forward. Didn't have the same level of energy as when he came on against Wrexham and missed a decent chance when the goalkeeper was in no-man's land.
Harvey Elliott (5). Lacked chances to show what he can do stationed on the left wing. Couldn't really get involved until he came inside, at which point he then had a couple of shots that came to nothing. Lost possession too easily a few times.
Kostas Tsimikas (6). Limited impact and part of a defense that struggled, though that wasn't really down to him.
Mor Talla Ndiaye* (6). *Found it hard to get up to speed when he was introduced. Decent in possession but positionally pulled around the pitch by Calvert-Lewin and the rest.
Calvin Ramsay (6). Given another opportunity at right-back, he was solid but nothing more.
Calum Scanlon (6). Replaced the tired Frimpong and wasn't on long enough to make that much of an impact.