Liverpool: Andoni Iraola has plenty to ponder after tale of two halves in Leeds friendly – BBC

Andoni Iraola’s first competitive test as Liverpool manager ended in a 4-2 defeat to Leeds United, a result that exposed the Reds’ pre-season fragility and left the Spaniard with a clear list of priorities before the Premier League curtain rises. The contest at Soldier Field split neatly into two halves: a first that showcased Liverpool’s attacking promise and a second that laid bare their defensive shortcomings. With the US tour now concluded, Iraola will board the overnight flight from Chicago to Merseyside with a clear mandate—fix the set-piece issues, shore up the backline, and decide which new faces are needed to steady a squad still unsettled by the summer’s transfer turbulence.

First-half momentum fades amid defensive chaos

Liverpool began brightly, dominating possession and fashioning early chances against a Leeds side missing key figures. Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak, returning from injury, linked well in midfield, while Liverpool’s front three pressed high and forced errors. The opening goal arrived after 12 minutes, a swift transition finished clinically. A second followed before half-time, extending the lead and leaving Iraola’s side in control at the interval. Yet within five minutes of the restart, Leeds had halved the deficit, exposing Liverpool’s vulnerability at set-pieces—a theme Szoboszlai later conceded was unacceptable.

What had been a promising display evaporated as Leeds exploited Liverpool’s disjointed midfield and hesitant backline. The visitors added two more in quick succession, completing a four-goal salvo in 25 minutes that turned a comfortable lead into a sobering defeat. Iraola’s half-time adjustments failed to stem the tide, and the intensity he demands from his squad vanished almost entirely after the break. Senior players like Curtis Jones and Federico Chiesa struggled to impose themselves, while an inexperienced defensive trio—Calvin Ramsay, Ifeanyi Ndukwe and Mor Talla Ndiaye—were left exposed.

Squad depth and transfer questions demand answers

Iraola’s decision to delay major signings until after the US tour was framed as a chance to assess his options. Yet the defeat to Leeds underscores the risks of entering a season without clear reinforcements. The lack of physicality and tactical cohesion in the second half suggests Liverpool’s current group may be ill-equipped for the Premier League’s intensity. With Virgil van Dijk, Cody Gakpo, Alisson Becker and new signing Victor Munoz set to rejoin this week, Iraola will now confront the reality that his squad remains unbalanced.

The uncertainty surrounding Alexis Mac Allister’s return—delayed by Argentina’s World Cup final run—only compounds the challenge. Munoz, who missed Spain’s triumph, arrives earlier to integrate, but his presence alone won’t solve Liverpool’s defensive frailties. The set-piece deficiencies, in particular, demand urgent attention; conceding twice from dead-ball situations in one half is a pattern that cannot be tolerated in a league where margins are razor-thin. Iraola’s earlier frustrations over a collapsed transfer now feel prescient, a reminder that inaction can be as damaging as misjudged deals.

Tactical reset needed before the Premier League opener

Iraola’s Liverpool set out with clear principles—high pressing, quick transitions, and positional discipline—but the Leeds defeat exposed the gulf between ambition and execution. The first half suggested the framework is taking shape, yet the second half revealed a team ill-prepared for adversity. The midfield, often the engine of Liverpool’s best performances under Klopp, looked disjointed, while the backline’s inability to handle Leeds’ directness highlighted a systemic issue.

Set-pieces remain a glaring weakness. Liverpool’s defensive structure collapsed repeatedly, and the lack of a commanding aerial presence—amplified by the absence of established defenders—was telling. Iraola’s post-match remarks pointed to a clear path: “We conceded two goals from set-pieces. We have to fix that and make sure we deal with them better.” The challenge now is translating that urgency into solutions before Liverpool face Brighton on August 17. With no further friendlies scheduled, the Premier League will provide the first real test of Iraola’s readiness.

For all the positives drawn from Wirtz and Isak’s returns, the Leeds result serves as a reality check. Iraola’s Liverpool is still a work in progress, and the window to shape the squad is narrowing. The manager’s ability to address these flaws will define whether this season is one of progress or regression.

As the squad reconvenes at the AXA Training Centre, the focus must shift from reflection to action. The Premier League waits for no one, and Liverpool’s early stumbles could prove costly. Iraola’s tenure begins with a stark lesson: talent alone won’t suffice without structure, depth, and resolve.