Liverpool’s US tour leaves Iraola facing defensive decisions before Newcastle opener

Liverpool’s pre-season preparations have exposed a shortage of defensive depth, with the team conceding six goals across three matches in the United States and allowing four in just 25 second-half minutes against Leeds United.

Although friendly matches are not a definitive measure of a team’s level, Liverpool’s performances have raised significant questions ahead of the new campaign. The side have shown promising attacking moments, but their defensive weaknesses have been clear enough for manager Andoni Iraola to publicly acknowledge that urgent problems must be solved before the season begins.

Iraola was speaking after Liverpool’s 4-2 defeat by Leeds in Chicago, a result which reflected the mixed nature of the club’s pre-season so far.

“Clearly, it is not the result we wanted, but it was probably the most useful friendly for us,” said the Spanish manager. “It was useful in a positive way in the first half and in a negative way in the second half. We learned a lot and will draw important conclusions from it to address some of the problems.”

Liverpool began the Leeds match with a back four of Jeremy Frimpong, Luke Chambers, Ifeanyi Ndukwu and Milos Kerkez. They finished with Calvin Ramsay, Mor Talla Ndiaye, Ndukwu and Kostas Tsimikas in defence.

A similarly young defensive unit had kept a clean sheet against Wrexham days earlier, but the challenge posed by a Premier League side, particularly one featuring striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin, highlighted the vulnerability in Liverpool’s defensive structure.

Kerkez is the only member of the defensive group currently appearing likely to start the season as a first-choice player. Captain Virgil van Dijk has returned to training, but Liverpool remain short of options at the back with fewer than three weeks to go before their Premier League campaign begins away to Newcastle United.

The situation is further complicated by the absences of Joe Gomez and Giovanni Leoni. New signing Jeremy Jacquet did not play a single minute during the American tour because he is following an individual programme designed to bring him back gradually.

Iraola has repeatedly described Liverpool as having a “numerical shortage” in defence, a problem made worse by the departures of Andy Robertson and Ibrahima Konate.

Leoni and Jacquet are both regarded as players with significant potential, but neither has established himself yet. Gomez’s recurring injury record also makes it risky for Liverpool to rely on him as the main solution.

Sporting director Richard Hughes attended the friendlies in Nashville and New York. Although he was absent for the Leeds game, he is well aware of the scale of the issue facing the club.

At a minimum, Liverpool need to sign another central defender and may also require a right-back, particularly because Conor Bradley’s return is still some way off.

Last season, Arne Slot had to use Curtis Jones and Dominik Szoboszlai at right-back on occasions. Liverpool do not want to repeat that situation and would prefer to recruit a player with sufficient experience to operate in the position.

Asked where he expects to play this season, Szoboszlai said: “You have to ask the manager, not me. I played in more than one position last season. I hope to play in midfield, but if the manager needs me at right-back I will do the job with pleasure.”

Former Liverpool captain Phil Thompson told BBC Sport that the squad also needed more players with leadership qualities.

“When Jurgen Klopp won the league, the team had leaders such as Jordan Henderson and James Milner, as well as Virgil van Dijk, Alisson and Mohamed Salah, and even Trent Alexander-Arnold,” he said.

“That aspect has declined today, so the team needs new players who are willing to take responsibility. The dressing room needs strong characters who impose discipline, especially during difficult periods.”

He added: “At the moment there are only Virgil and Alisson, so a player like Dominik Szoboszlai must step forward and take on greater responsibility.”

Midfield offers greater stability

Liverpool’s midfield appears to be in a stronger position than their defence. The club have a group including Szoboszlai, Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister, while both Szoboszlai and Gravenberch signed new contracts earlier this year.

Iraola will hope Mac Allister can rediscover his best form after a disappointing campaign by his standards last season. Curtis Jones, meanwhile, is edging closer to a move to Inter, with Liverpool prepared to sell him for about £35m.

That decision is also linked to the future of teenage midfielder Trey Nyoni, who has impressed during pre-season. Wataru Endo and Stefan Bajcetic have returned to training, while Harvey Elliott’s position remains unresolved.

Liverpool have previously asked about the availability of Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton, although competition for his signature appears strong.

In attack, the club could make another signing before the transfer window closes. After failing to complete a deal for Yann Diomande, Liverpool have made Paris St-Germain winger Bradley Barcola their main target.

Liverpool have already signed Victor Munoz from Osasuna for £34m. Barcola is not viewed as a direct replacement for Mohamed Salah, but his arrival would still represent a major deal, with Paris St-Germain valuing the player at about £145m.

Liverpool are preparing an offer close to £100m, and Barcola is understood to welcome a move to Anfield. However, there have been no formal negotiations between the clubs so far.

Seventeen-year-old Rio Ngumoha is expected to receive more playing time next season. He looked more comfortable on the left wing against Leeds but can operate on either flank, which fits Iraola’s approach.

Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz have also made encouraging starts to pre-season. Federico Chiesa’s future remains undecided, with the Italy international keen to stay and fight for his place despite reports linking him with a return to Serie A.

Kieran Morrison, 19, impressed during the American tour and scored the first goal of the Iraola era. However, he is likely to leave on loan to gain further experience, along with several other young players.

Tottenham have shown interest in Cody Gakpo, but Liverpool have no intention of selling the Netherlands forward. He has four years remaining on his contract and is among the squad’s most versatile attacking players.

Liverpool’s decision is also influenced by Hugo Ekitike’s long-term absence with an Achilles tendon tear, making it logical for the club to retain Gakpo.

Mike Gordon, president of Fenway Sports Group and the person effectively responsible for the club’s management, attended the Leeds match. He saw first-hand how the optimism created by Liverpool’s first-half display turned into concern after their defensive collapse following the interval.

With major ambitions and more transfer activity expected, the message from Anfield is clear: Liverpool still require reinforcements if they are to compete strongly for every major trophy next season.