Leeds United rounded off their pre-season tour of America in thrilling fashion following a 4-2 win against Liverpool in Chicago on Sunday.
The Whites were two goals down at half-time through Luke Chambers and Florian Wirtz but a handful of introductions changed the game. Substitutes Brenden Aaronson and then Dominic Calvert-Lewin drew Leeds level before the former set up Sean Longstaff to make it 3-2.
Calvert-Lewin nodded home a fourth towards full-time to cap off a dominant second-half display against an admittedly weakened Liverpool outfit. Below, the YEP looks at three key takeaways from an exciting encounter at Soldier Field.
Worrying transfer reminder
Gabriel Gudmundsson's apparent hamstring injury is a concern for Leeds United.placeholder image
Gabriel Gudmundsson's apparent hamstring injury is a concern for Leeds United. | Getty Images
It was a difficult first-half all-round for Leeds who were caught sleeping defensively for both goals, and that early misery was compounded when Gabriel Gudmundsson was forced off with what looked to have been a hamstring injury. The left-back was already in pain after a nasty collision with Wirtz and went down for a second time around 30 minutes.
As the Leeds physios approached, Gudmundsson appeared to be rubbing his hamstring and was eventually replaced by Sebastiaan Bornauw. James Justin moved across to the left and did okay for large parts, although his obvious limitations were on show with a couple of poor crosses from promising positions.
Here at the YEP, we're running a HALF PRICE subscription deal throughout pre-season. Subscribe to ensure you catch every inch of our Leeds United coverage next season.
It’s potentially a nightmare scenario for Farke, losing your only natural, senior left wing-back to a muscular injury three weeks before the new campaign kicks off. Leeds need cover. It’s a position they’d have needed to recruit anyway this summer but Gudmundsson’s possible injury is a stark reminder just how quickly a lack of depth can be exposed.
Calvert-Lewin impact
That second-half against Liverpool was the first time this summer that Leeds have hit their flow in the final third - and it’s no coincidence that it was also Calvert-Lewin’s first appearance. The 29-year-old joined Aaronson, Longstaff and Harry Wilson in making a significant impact at Soldier Field with all four bringing the best out of each other.
All four impressed but it was Calvert-Lewin who stood out, admittedly against a Liverpool defence lacking any real first-team experience. His hold-up play allowed Leeds to get up the pitch and play their game, pushing onto the opposition and winning possession high - as happened for Aaronson’s goal.
Sunday was a reminder just how important the 29-year-old is to Leeds, not only for his goals but for everything else that he brings - and the kind of stuff Lukas Nmecha struggles at. Another small reminder that for any incoming striker, that ability to hold up play and match defenders physically is crucial.
Midfield minutes battle
Another impressive half-time introduction was Longstaff, and not only for scoring his second goal in three pre-season games. It wasn’t the cleanest finish, his scuffed effort from Aaronson’s cross more wrong-footing Georgi Mamardashvili than anything else, but it was further evidence of how the former Newcastle man can contribute going into next season and beyond.
Longstaff was also a big improvement on the man he replaced, with Ao Tanaka struggling to make a positive impact again. The Japan international was sloppy in possession and could never really find his rhythm, which has been typical of his three appearances across the Atlantic Ocean.
If Leeds want a new midfielder - and bids for Shea Charles suggest they do - it might have to be one in and one out. And with the obvious caveat of it being just three games into pre-season, Longstaff feels some way ahead of Tanaka, particularly if Farke is looking for someone to cover for Stach and provide attacking impetus.