Florian Wirtz celebrated his return to the Liverpool FC jersey against Leeds after a somewhat extended break due to the World Cup. In his comeback in Chicago, the playmaker had to watch from the sidelines as his teammates squandered a two-goal lead after he scored.
On Sunday evening, Liverpool FC wrapped up its preseason tour of the U.S. with a friendly against league rival Leeds United. In his third game, new coach Andoni Iraola was able to call upon several players returning from the World Cup. Two of them—Isak, who was eliminated with Sweden in the Round of 32 against France (0–3), and Wirtz—were in the starting lineup.
However, the attacking duo did not play a role in the early opening goal. Instead, two defenders took center stage in the 7th minute. Kerkez flicked Szoboszlai’s corner kick with his heel to the far post, where Chambers powered the ball into the net from four meters out.
A combination play by two former Leverkusen players gives Liverpool a 2–0 lead
With the lead in hand, the Reds dominated the action and moved the ball confidently through their own ranks. The reward came shortly before halftime. Wirtz laid the ball back from the left corner of the penalty area to the lively Nyoni, who found Frimpong with a diagonal pass on the right side of the box. The right back cut inside and played the ball back to the penalty spot for the onrushing Wirtz, who calmly slotted it into the right corner (40th minute). The 2-0 lead was also the German international’s last notable contribution. At halftime, Iraola took him off the field along with Isak, Nyoni, and Ngumoha.
Without that quartet, however, Liverpool collapsed after the restart. This was also reflected on the scoreboard. Aaronson brought the Peacocks back into the game after Kerkez lost possession in his own half (60′). The former Union player, who had replaced Stach at halftime, was a real asset: Shortly afterward, Aaronson also set up Longstaff’s goal to make it 3–2 following a give-and-go (73′), after Calvert-Lewin had punished Liverpool’s lackluster defensive work following a long throw-in (71′).
Calvert-Lewin scores a brace
The spectators at Soldier Field in Chicago were also treated to a repeat of the equalizer shortly before the final whistle. Calvert-Lewin was in the right place after a flicked-on throw-in—this time from former Bundesliga player Bornauw—and nodded it in for the 4–2 final score (85′).
After two wins, against Sunderland (4–2) and Wrexham (1–0), the U.S. tour thus ended with Iraola’s first defeat.