Iraola’s Liverpool Faces Leeds in Chicago: A New Era Begins
Liverpool’s American tour moves up a gear on Sunday night as Andoni Iraola’s new-look side face Leeds in Chicago, with the Basque coach chasing a third straight pre-season win and his squad finally starting to resemble the real thing.
Iraola’s Liverpool starts to take shape
The early victories over Sunderland and Wrexham were useful exercises, but Iraola has had to make do without several of his headline names. That changes here.
Ryan Gravenberch, Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak are now in the building after returning from World Cup duty, handing the Spaniard a far more dangerous spine to work with. All three are available, and all three give this game a different edge. Pre-season or not, this is the first glimpse of what Iraola’s Liverpool might actually look like when the serious stuff begins.
There is intrigue at the back as well. £60m defender Jeremy Jacquet, whose move was announced a year ago but only finally completed in June, is in contention after injury and could make his long-awaited bow. For a fanbase that has been waiting 12 months to see him in red, Chicago might be the night the wait ends.
Spain international Victor Munoz, another new face, will not be involved. Fresh from La Roja’s World Cup triumph, he remains on an extended break, as do Cody Gakpo, Virgil van Dijk and Argentina’s Alexis Mac Allister. The core of Liverpool’s title-winning experience is still being eased back in.
Injuries and rotation shape the back line
One definite absentee is Joe Gomez. The defender, injured in the friendly against Sunderland last weekend, misses out and could be sidelined for the start of the Premier League season. For Iraola, it is an early reminder of the fragility of his defensive options.
He has responded to these early games with heavy rotation. Only goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili and Harvey Elliot have started both matches so far, underlining the manager’s determination to assess his full squad rather than lean on a fixed XI.
That pattern should continue, but with tweaks. At right-back, Jeremie Frimpong is expected to reclaim his place from Calvin Ramsay, offering more thrust and aggression down that flank. In the middle, Jacquet is a candidate to start from the off, most likely alongside one of academy products Luke Chambers, Ifeanyi Ndukwe or Talla Ndiaye. It is a blend Iraola knows he must get right quickly: senior authority next to youthful legs.
On the left, there is less debate. Milos Kerkez, who worked under Iraola at Bournemouth, is set to start ahead of Kostas Tsimikas. Familiarity counts in these early weeks, and Kerkez understands the demands of his manager’s aggressive, front-foot style.
Midfield craft and attacking options
Further up the pitch, the choices become more enticing. Dominik Szoboszlai, one of Liverpool’s few consistent sparks last season, is in line to start and could be paired with Gravenberch in a technically gifted, high-energy midfield. If Iraola opts to manage minutes for his senior men, then youngsters Trey Nyoni or James McConnell are ready to step in from the first whistle, both having impressed with their composure in earlier outings.
The creative spotlight may fall on Florian Wirtz. Iraola has confirmed the German playmaker is available, and he could come in for Harvey Elliot in the attacking midfield role. Wirtz’s ability to find pockets of space and slide passes between the lines adds a different dimension to Liverpool’s build-up, one that will interest supporters and opponents alike.
Out wide, Rio Ngumoha has earned his shot. The youngster scored the winner against Wrexham and, on the back of that decisive moment, should be rewarded with another start. Pre-season is about opportunity; Ngumoha has grabbed his.
Then there is Alexander Isak. The forward endured a difficult debut campaign and badly needs rhythm, confidence and goals. Chicago offers a platform. If he starts, every touch will be watched closely, every run measured against the expectation that he can become the ruthless focal point Iraola’s system demands.
Three wins from three would not define Iraola’s reign. But with the squad finally swelling with returning internationals and long-awaited signings, this meeting with Leeds feels less like a run-out and more like the first serious sketch of Liverpool’s new era.
