Liverpool surrendered a two-goal lead as Leeds completed a dramatic turnaround to win the final match of both teams’ United States tours 4-2.
Andoni Iraola’s side had looked second-best in the first half, with Liverpool dominating and taking a 2-0 advantage. Luke Chambers opened the scoring in the seventh minute when Dominik Szoboszlai’s corner was flicked on by Milos Kerkez and Chambers smashed the ball home. Florian Wirtz then added a smart second on 40 minutes after a flowing move involving Trey Nyoni and Jeremie Frimpong.
Leeds changed the game at half-time by introducing Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Harry Wilson, and they overturned the deficit in a 13-minute purple patch in the second half. Brenden Aaronson pulled one back on 60 minutes after Kerkez gave the ball away and Ethan Ampadu’s long throw led to Leeds’ first equaliser when Calvert-Lewin headed in at the back post on 71 minutes. Two minutes later Sean Longstaff turned the scores around with a scuffed finish, and Calvert-Lewin completed his brace on 84 minutes, again nodding in from an Ampadu long throw.
Key moments:
– 7′: Luke Chambers (Liverpool) 1-0 — flicked corner finished by Chambers.
– 14′: Lucas Nmecha’s header for Leeds superbly saved by Liverpool keeper Giorgi Mamardashvilli.
– 26′: Nmecha drags a chance wide.
– 40′: Florian Wirtz (Liverpool) 2-0 — finished a well-worked team move.
– 54′: Calvert-Lewin wastes a chance shortly after coming on.
– 60′: Brenden Aaronson (Leeds) 2-1 — finished after a Milos Kerkez error.
– 71′: Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Leeds) 2-2 — headed in from Ampadu’s long throw.
– 73′: Sean Longstaff (Leeds) 3-2 — scuffed finish inside the box.
– 84′: Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Leeds) 4-2 — another long-throw finish by Ampadu.
After the match Szoboszlai warned that Liverpool must be more vigilant on set pieces and long throws, saying everyone has to do their job to avoid conceding from those situations and that they must react and improve ahead of the season.
Sky Sports’ Sam Blitz noted that while it’s still pre-season, the manner of the collapse will be a concern for Liverpool. Set-piece vulnerability and defensive uncertainty at full-back — highlighted by the Kerkez mistake — were recurring issues. There were positives: Wirtz impressed in his first 45 minutes back and youngster Trey Nyoni showed real promise. With injuries to manage and the competitive season close, Iraola has work to do before the opener.
Both clubs return to England to finish pre-season preparations. Remaining fixtures: Liverpool face Monaco (Aug 9) and Como (Aug 16) at Anfield; Leeds play RB Leipzig (Aug 8) at Elland Road and Man Utd in Dublin (Aug 12).