Leeds wins tale of two halves in Chicago

Liverpool 2-4 Leeds United

CHICAGO, IL–Soccer can be a tale of two halves, sometimes. Sunday at Soldier Field was one of them as Liverpool were clearly the better side in the first and having the best of times, but then had the worst of times in the second half, particularly against long throw-ins, and ended up losing 4-2 to Leeds United in both sides’ final preseason match in the United States.

Liverpool played many of their available regulars in the first half and displayed their dominance early culminating in a seventh minute strike for Luke Chambers as he scored from a flick-on header from Milos Kerkez.  The Reds then added a second in the 40th minute after Jeremie Frimpong sent a cross that was put in on the volley by Florian Wirtz.

Leeds had trouble all half dealing with Frimpong’s crosses and the scoreline might have been worse were it not for Alex Cairns in goal and Joe Rodon making a couple of crucial challenges in defense.

Liverpool made some changes in the second half to give fringe players some playing time while Leeds brought in Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Harry Wilson, and Brenden Aaronson. From there, instead of Leeds having to deal with Liverpool’s press and crosses, Liverpool had to deal with long throw-ins–and did so poorly a couple times.

Before that, a turnover in midfield allowed Ethan Ampadu to find Aaronson to pull one back at the hour mark. Eleven minutes later, Ampadu had a long throw-in and a flick-on header by Rodon found a criminally unmarked Calvert-Lewin to level the score.

Three minutes later, Aaronson turned provider as his cross was not dealt with by Curtis Jones and Sean Longstaff made it 3-2 to Leeds. In minute 85, a second throw-in by Ampadu was flicked on by Sebastiaan Bornauw and put in by Calvert-Lewin for his brace and Leeds a 4-2 eventual win.

After such an assured first half, the second half left Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola plenty to ponder heading to their next preseason tilt against Monaco at Anfield next Sunday in which more of Liverpool’s regulars will be available for selection.

“I think we learn a lot of things,” said Iraola. “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. I think we’ve learned a lot from today and I think we can take good conclusions and solve some things.

“Now we know we conceded two goals from set pieces, we have to take care more of them. Last season was a season where everything started to be really important. Corners, long throw-ins. We really have to take care of it because the next season is going to be the same as last season.”

Leeds will return to Elland Road next weekend as they host Bundesliga outfit RB Leipzig.

Photos by Len Cederholm and Leslie Smith

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