Leeds defeat 'the most useful friendly we played' - Iraola

[ASFN Admin]

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Liverpool concluded their three-match pre-season tour of the USA with an eventful 4-2 defeat by Leeds in Chicago.

The Reds dominated the first-half, with Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz impressing on their respective returns from their post-World Cup holidays.

Defender Luke Chambers - who spent last season on loan at Charlton - put Andoni Iraola's side in front, before Wirtz doubled the scoring by finishing off a fine team move.

However, Leeds rallied after the break with the introductions of senior figures Harry Wilson, Sean Longstaff, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Brenden Aaronson proving the catalyst.

Daniel Farke's side blew Liverpool away with four goals inside 25 minutes. The first came from Aaronson on the hour mark, with Calvert-Lewin equalising 10 minutes later.

Minutes later, Longstaff completed the turnaround by finishing from a fine Aaronson cut-back before some gloss was added to the scoreline late on with a powerful Calvert-Lewin header.

Reflecting on the defeat, Iraola said: "I think we learn a lot of things. Obviously it's not the result you want but I think [it was] probably the most useful friendly we played – in a positive way in the first half and in a negative way in the second half."

On the returning Isak, Wirtz and Ryan Gravenberch he added: "I think they did really good. They played their first 45 minutes. Obviously Florian and Alex, because they were playing in the first half, they had an easier game or a better game. Ryan, it was costly for him."

Iraola also played down any fears of an injury to Jeremie Frimpong: "Jeremie asked for the sub but I don't think it's an injury. It was just some overload and I hope he's not injured in that way. I don't think we've lost anyone."

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