Liverpool’s pre-season preparations have exposed defensive weaknesses that manager Andoni Iraola admits must be addressed urgently, despite the side showing encouraging attacking moments during their United States tour.
The concerns intensified after a 4-2 defeat by Leeds United in Chicago, a result which, according to the BBC, reflected both the promise and problems currently facing the club.
“It is clearly not the result we wanted, but it was perhaps the most useful friendly for us,” Iraola said. “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 to address some problems.”
Liverpool have conceded six goals across their three matches in the United States, with four of those arriving in only 25 minutes of the second half against Leeds.
Their starting defence featured Jeremie Frimpong, Luke Chambers, Iwan N’Diaye and Milos Kerkez, while the game ended with Calvin Ramsay, Miro Talla Ndiaye, N’Diaye and Kostas Tsimikas forming the back four.
A similarly young defence had kept a clean sheet against Wrexham a few days earlier, but the step up in opposition against Leeds, combined with the threat posed by striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin, exposed the fragility of Liverpool’s defensive structure.
Kerkez is the only one of those defenders who appears certain to be under serious consideration for a starting place when the season begins. Captain Virgil van Dijk has returned to training, but Liverpool remain short of defensive depth with fewer than three weeks to go before their Premier League campaign opens against Newcastle United.
Iraola’s concerns have been increased by the absences of Joe Gomez and Giovanni Leoni. New signing Jeremy Jacquet played no part during the American tour as he follows an individual programme designed to bring him back into action gradually.
The manager has repeatedly described Liverpool as suffering from a “numerical shortage” in defence, a situation made more serious by the departures of Andy Robertson and Ibrahima Konate.
Leoni and Jacquet are regarded as players with considerable potential, but neither has established himself yet. Gomez’s recurring injury record also makes relying on him alone a substantial risk.
Sporting director Richard Hughes attended Liverpool’s friendlies in Nashville and New York. Although he was not present for the Leeds match, he is well aware of the scale of the issue confronting the squad.
Liverpool need, at the very least, to sign another central defender and may also require a right-back, particularly because Conor Bradley’s return remains some distance away.
Last season, Arne Slot was forced to use Curtis Jones and Dominik Szoboszlai at right-back. The club does not want to repeat that arrangement 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 needs 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 prepared to take responsibility. The dressing room needs strong personalities who impose discipline, particularly during difficult periods.”
He added: “At the moment there are only Virgil and Alisson, so a player such as Dominik Szoboszlai must step forward and take on greater responsibility.”
Midfield offers a more settled picture. Liverpool have a strong group featuring Szoboszlai, Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister, while Szoboszlai and Gravenberch have both signed new contracts during the current year.
Iraola will hope to recover the best form of Mac Allister, who did not produce the level expected of him last season. Jones, meanwhile, is edging towards a move to Inter, with Liverpool reportedly 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 future remains unresolved.
Liverpool have also enquired about the position of Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton, although competition for his signature appears strong.
Attacking options
The attack could still be strengthened before the transfer window closes. After the failure to sign Yan Diomande, Paris Saint-Germain winger Bradley Barcola has become Liverpool’s primary target.
Liverpool have already signed Victor Munoz from Osasuna for £34m. Barcola would not be viewed as a direct replacement for Mohamed Salah, but his arrival would nevertheless represent a major deal, particularly as Paris Saint-Germain value him at about £145m.
Liverpool are preparing an offer close to £100m and Barcola is receptive to a move to Anfield, although there have been no formal negotiations between the clubs so far.
Seventeen-year-old Rio Ngumoha is expected to receive more first-team minutes next season. He looked more comfortable on the left wing against Leeds but can play on either flank, a flexibility which suits Iraola’s approach.
Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz have both made encouraging starts to pre-season, while Federico Chiesa’s future has not yet been decided. Chiesa wants to stay and fight for his place despite being linked with a return to Serie A.
Kieran Morrison, 19, also made an impression during the United States tour by scoring the first goal of the Iraola era. However, he is likely to leave on loan to gain further experience, as are several other young players.
Tottenham have previously shown an interest in Cody Gakpo, but Liverpool do not intend to sell the Netherlands forward. He has four years remaining on his contract and is one of the squad’s most versatile attacking players.
The long-term absence of Hugo Ekitike, who is recovering from an Achilles tendon rupture, makes retaining Gakpo an even more logical decision.
Mike Gordon, president of the Fenway Sports Group and the person effectively responsible for the club’s management, was also at the Leeds match. He witnessed first-hand how the optimism generated by the first half turned into serious concern after Liverpool’s defensive collapse.
Amid major ambitions and potential signings, the message from Anfield is clear: Liverpool still require reinforcements if they are to compete strongly for every major honour next season.
