One key first half incident in Chicago only further confirms the need to get this transfer done this month
Gabriel Gudmundsson goes down injured
Gabriel Gudmundsson goes down injured(Image: Geoff Stellfox/Getty Images)
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If Leeds United’s pre-season tour has done anything, it has underlined that the areas of reinforcement circled ahead of the US trip were the right ones to mark.
The goalkeeper situation, although soon-to-be solved, has been highlighted by Lucas Perri’s two-game injury with reserve choice Alex Cairns playing 180 minutes. And the need for a back-up striker has been pored over within the past week.
Sunday’s 4-2 comeback win over Liverpool, though, sent a reminder of why Leeds do indeed need to look for a back-up left-back. There might have been temptation to designate this under the nice-to-have column but if Leeds are to progress, they need that left-footed second option.
Gabriel Gudmundsson went off before half time with what appeared to be another hamstring injury, the type of setback that saw him miss the final four games of last season. It is not known - if it is a hamstring issue - whether it is the same leg.
James Justin, the ever-reliable utility man, switched fairly seamlessly from right centre-back to left-back after Gudmundsson’s withdrawal. That was until Jeremie Frimpong ran off the back of him to cross for Florian Wirtz, who doubled Liverpool's lead five minutes before half time.
Daniel Farke’s call to bring on Brenden Aaronson, Harry Wilson, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Sean Longstaff at the break changed the game and as a result of their impact, everyone - including Justin - elevated their levels.
The best of Justin’s attacking play on the left saw him crash in a shot from distance that Liverpool goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili had to palm away. But therein also lay an issue.
While sturdy and adventurous in the second half, Justin’s right-foot preference was obvious. Whether it was crossing or passing angles, the 28-year-old wanted to turn inwards and tried not to go on the outside. Against more weathered Liverpool players, he would have been stymied.
Jayden Lienou is tipped to make a mark in future years but he is only 18 and has yet to make his career senior debut, despite his call-up to the Wales squad in June. He has shown his credentials in each of his three stints on tour.
But he is not yet trusted by Farke, understandably. Playing Wrexham and Sunderland in pre-season is one thing, playing against Liverpool - even if it is a friendly - is another. Lienou only came on in the 83rd-minute which shows both Farke’s future hopes for him but also the current pecking order.
Leeds need that in-between - a left-footed option who can be an understudy for Gudmundsson and be more risk-free than Lienou as things stand. Finding such a player - someone who can be convinced to settle for second fiddle - will be tricky.
Yet it is a mission that needs to be completed this window. Justin may be ample but he is not the long-term answer, especially if cover is needed at centre-back amid a back-three system given there are only four natural senior options at present.
Left-back cover was never going to be a top-three priority this summer but the reason why it is on the list was reaffirmed on Sunday and shouldn't be pushed that far down the wish list.
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